Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/greenscene3816edpr JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010 • S5.00 .c n Graceful Beauty in 1 1 fjj N Cathedral Village The “Tip of the Iceberg ” is ... An opportunity for you to participate in the complete renovation of a Country apartment , one of our largest and most luxurious style floor plans, with your choice of. . . ♦ Hardwood flooring in the foyer, living room, dining room and kitchen. ♦ A kitchen with all stainless steel appliances. ♦ New kitchen cabinetry and easy-to-maintain granite or Zodiaq® countertops. ♦ Modern amenities in each bathroom and non-slip ceramic or porcelain tile floors. ♦ Wall-to-wall carpet colors in the bedrooms and hallway. ♦ Modern custom lighting as well as complete crown molding and chair rail trim. ♦ Paint colors for walls and trim. Under “The Tip of the Iceberg ” is ... What you don’t see . . . Excellence in extensive resident services and in our most comprehen- sive healthcare system, which now includes Assisted Living care in the comfort of your own spacious Country apartment, if ever required — as well as an unmatched lifestyle in a financially stable and credit-rated community. The unmatched lifestyle also includes enjoying winter this year by swimming in the warmth of our pool, exercising in the fitness center, attending numerous professional concerts here in Cathedral Hall or having our security personnel take you to the Philadelphia Orchestra or theater events. Discover the Village College, Horticultural and Greenhouse activities, the separate Painting and Pottery Studios and classes; and the many other features and services of the Cathedral Village lifestyle that our residents find so enjoyable. ^ There is so much more than meets the eye at Cathedral Village U Call or Visit Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Appointments are needed for weekends and holidays. 600 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 (215) 984-8622 Cathedral Village is a Nonprofit, Nondenominational Continuing Care Retirement Community WWW.CathedralviUage.COni Accredited by CARF-CCAC Since 1984 • Affiliated With the Jefferson Health System Since 1986 V ) n january-february 2010 Editor Pete Prown Senior Editor Jane Carroll Associate Editor Daniel Moise Staff Photographer Margaret Funderburg Art Design Baxendells' Graphic Printer ALCOM Printing Group, Inc. Website PHSonline.org 100 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 215-988-8800 Chair John K. Ball President Jane G. Pepper Executive Vice President J. Blaine Bonham, Jr. PHS Membership Information Linda Davis, 215-988-8776 Display & Classified Ads Manzo Media Group 610-527-7047 mmanzo@manzomediagroup. com Garden Q & A Phone Line 215-988-8777, Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 12 [closed in Decemberl askagardener@pennhort.org GREEN SCENE (USPS 955580), Volume 38, No.1, is published bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a nonprofit 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. © 2010 Pennsylvania Florticultural Society FEATURES O 10 18 22 Photo Contest Finale Check out the talented winners of the 2009 Green Scene "Garden Photo" Contest. Passport to Paradise Get an early jump on the 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show with this story about the Passport to the World theme and the garden styles from all over the world that will be celebrated at the Show. This story delves into the horticulture of these global destinations and explains how you can bring a few ideas back to your garden. Japanese Maples Everyone should have at least one Japanese maple on their property. Ilene Sternberg takes us to Handmade Gardens in Downingtown, PA, to find a few choice specimens. Fabulous Flower Show Photos! Ace lensman Robert Salgado shares some lessons on how to take better pictures at the Flower Show. From flash to focus to f-stop and more, you'll surely pick up some great tips here. COLUMNS 26 Greening Basics Planting in Public Spaces The Backyard A Charter School's New Pain Garden FSC Mixed Sources Product group from well-managed forests and other controlled sources www.fsc.org Cert no. SW-COC-002714 © 1996 Forest Stewardship Council The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. Cover photo: Dreamstime.com Letter from the Editor REV UP your Houseplants It’s January and the outdoor landscape is dormant and quiet. But like me, you may be one of those folks whose “garden” looks best at this time of year. In my case, this so- called garden consists ol roughly 30 house- plants that migrate each year between my bright sunroom in winter and my back deck in the summer. As this winter approached, I decided to rev up my collection with new plants. Granted, my array of scented and flowering pelargoniums, Euphorbia milii, and overwintering impatiens always put on a great show, but it was time for some new challenges. To kick-start my endeavor, I stopped at nearby Mostardi Nursery in Newtown Square, PA. Owner Steve Mostardi showed me some “odd- ball" foliage plants that do great in home environ- ments, which are often lacking in sunlight and humidity. One such speci- men, the “ZZ” plant ( Zamioculcas zamifolia ), has dark, glossy green foliage and can take plenty of indoor abuse yet still thrive. Sago palms also do well indoors, he said, as do Sansevieria cylindrica, known variously as the skyline spear or African spear. This unusual foliage plant has round, cylindrical leaves that really do resem- ble spears. Also, various cacti, aloe, and haworthia don’t seem to mind dry homes or offices. I have a particularly large example of the latter in my north-facing office, grown from a tiny plant and flourishing on its own for about a decade. Today, this Haworthia attenuata is the size of a dinner plate and periodically sends out long, slender shoots upon which diminutive white flowers bloom. At Mostardi's I picked up a Syngonanthus chrysanthus ‘Mikado’, a plant from Brazil with strange and spiky architecture. This fel- low likes warm, humid environments, pre- senting a challenge for the indoor gardener, but not an insurmountable one. I bought other humidity lovers, too, such as a Hypoestes ‘White Splash’ and Begonia Angel Wing’. To help them survive the winter, I dug out an old fish tank in the basement, the for- mer abode ol a dearly departed family turtle. I put a layer of small peddles along the bot- tom and added a good drizzling of water, then put plants in their new home. Heat from the sun and furnace will help trigger evaporation in the tank and create a cozy, humid environment for these tropicals. If these plants do well, I may delve further into begonias and orchids. Over the years, I’ve visited the homes of various Flower Show masters and seen their work up close. I'm thinking of Sylvia Lin’s begonias, Phyllis Williams’s orchids, and Cecily Clark’s ivy standards, all covered in these pages. As for ramping up your own houseplant adventures, I’d suggest reading up online or at the PHS McLean Library and thinking about what kind of environment your house provides. As you’ll learn, most houses offer everything from dim and dry spaces (fine for rubber plants, spider plants, or Schefflera arbori- cold) to sunny and dry south-facing windows (succulents, pelargoniums) to bright and humid rooms, such as east- or south-facing bathrooms or kitchens (orchids, bego- nias, ferns). If you want more humidity, you can use a humidifier, fish tank, or pebble trays under cer- tain plants. There are plen- ty of ways to make your house more hospitable to its leafy green inhabitants. Ultimately, growing houseplants is about hav- ing fun, learning new gar- dening tricks, and having the opportunity to enjoy one of your favorite plants in amazing detail. Granted there’s work involved — from regular watering and feeding to grooming and vacuuming up dead leaves — but the sight of a plant blooming its head off in the middle of winter is its own reward. If you’re interested, drive over to your local nursery, be it Mostardi’s, Meadowbrook Farm, or your favorite plant haven down the road, and see what houseplants entice you. It just might be the beginning of a long, glorious obsession. Pe£& proww email: greenscene@pennhort.org 4 GREEN SCENE • january/february 201 0 fYour garden is # your sanctuary... IBg come to Mostardi's 3 for distinctive , plants, expertise and inspiration. MOSTARDI 4033 West Chester Pike (Rte 3), Newtown Square, PA 19073 610-356-8035 • www.mostardi.com Perfect Time... Per feet Place... Perfect Plan. Find it at The Fiill at Whitemarsh, one of Delaware Valleys newest life care communities, where you can easily enjoy the energy and culture of the city, yet escape to country living in a beautiful community setting. Residents here are passionate about Philadelphia, thrive on an active social life and maintain an independent and stimulating lifestyle. Our spacious residences feature a wealth of services and amenities and assure you a lifetime of maintenance free, comfortable living with a secure future. For a personal appointment and tour of our community, please call us today at 215-402-8500 or 1-800-315-4103. the Hill at HITEMARSH Where You Want to Be 4000 Fox Hound Drive, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 www.thehillatwhitemarsh.org GREEN SCENE • january/february 201 0 5 The Potting Shed Green Scene readers were out en masse this year, snapping great shots for our annual shutterbug contest. Choosing from images of flowers to families to an assortment of furry and flying friends, our expert judges (includ- ing Flower Show design director Sam Lemheney) had their work cut out for them, bringing several hundred entries down to the final 13 winners. It was grueling work, but ultimately they emerged with the best of the best, which we present here. Finally, they flipped over the photos to see the names of the winners— a thrilling moment! PHS offers its congratulations to everyone who participated and thanks all you photographers for sharing your artful visions with us. Each year we are dazzled by your creativity and talent. 1ST PLACE Name: Dan Sneberger Prize: FujiFilm Z20 camera Photographer's Notes: I took this photo at Little Qualicum Falls Park on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The park contains a small gorge with a fast-flowing stream, and the fence in the photo borders the gorge. The sun had just reappeared following a short rain shower and the air was very humid and misty. I used a series of filters to accentuate the gold- en feel of the sun filtering through the forest. Judges' Comments: "We were struck by the ethereal lighting in this image, which invites the viewer to venture down this alluring path. The composition is spot-on, too. Bravo!" Garden Glimpses Winners of the 2009 Green Scene Garden Photo Contest By Daniel Moise 6 2ND PLACE Name: Eugene J. Szymkowiak Prizes: The Philadelphia Flower Show coffee-table book and a one-year PHS membership Photographer's Notes: Having spoken with the Netherlands Tourist Bureau representative at the Philadelphia Flower Show the previous three years, we decided the time to visit was now. While strolling through the dazzling displays at the gardens of Keukenhof, I spotted this calm, serene canal. Having spent 50 years shooting film, this was my first endeavor into the world of digital images. Judges' Comments: "Excellent composition pushed this image into the winner's circle. Strong diagonals from the tulips, lawn, boat, and the water's edge grabbed our attention, while the bright yellow blossoms made us instantly wish for spring" First prize provided courtesy of Ritz Camera 3RD PLACE Name: David Osberg Prize: One-year PHS membership Photographer's Notes: This is a photo of a tropical day-flowering waterlily that was taken at Longwood Gardens. This particular variety is known as Nymphaea 'Director George T. Moore'. This waterlily was devel- oped in 1941 by George Pring and commemorates the former director of Missouri Botanical Gardens. George Pring, the son-in-law of the first director of Longwood Gardens, was instrumental in helping Longwood devel- op its original waterlily display in 1957. Judges' Comments: "This waterlily image is a tech- nical tour-de-force, with each petal rendered in perfect, crisp focus. The deeply saturated violets and yellows and off-center composition only added to its attrac- tion— a master class of 'macro' photography." GREEN SCENE • january/february 201 0 7 7. Harold Davis Honorable Mention Winners he Potting Shed 6. Maureen Skowronekj The Gardeners Bookshelf ■ejh! GAIA’S GARDEN * God« to f«rrrwulti>» a >»/V- a A J We invite you to visit our Web site at www.waldor.com 10 E. Poplar Avenue Linwood, NJ 08221 Ph (609) 927-4 1 26 Fax (609) 926-061 5 Planting the Future of PHS Legacy Landscapes is a $12.1 million campaign to establish an endowment fund to support the horticultural maintenence of civic and neighborhood landscape projects of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. For more information please contact the PHS Development Office at 215-988-8800 or visit www.pennsylvaniahorticuhuralsociety.org The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Beautify your landscape with Timeless design and Uncompromising craftsmanship reminiscent of another era. Our original products are fully Assembled, finished, and shipped from our Pennsylvania workshop To 48 States. V iew our entire collection of Gardensheds, Greenhouses, Screen Houses, Pool Houses, Pavilions, Follies, Entry Gates, Estate Planters, Bird Houses and Dog Houses. www.Gardensheds.com Toll-FREE: 877-SHEDS-1 1 PEPPER POT EARM ca. \JtjO www.gardensheds.com f crafted Buildings ao< LAMBERTVILLE, NJ Who doesn’t love a Japanese maple? Beautiful, versatile trees with more than 300 cul- tivars, they’re treasured for their form, which can be dwarf, upright, mounding, rounded, weeping, spreading, and vase-shaped. At maturity, they can stand from 2 to more than 30 feet tall. Some cultivars, like ‘Kiyohime’, grow so low they can be considered ground- covers, while others can be shaped into beau- tiful bonsai specimens. Acer palmatum , the “mountain maple,” is probably the strongest and most vigorous species, but there are numerous other maple species from Japan. Acer japonicum , the “full moon maple,” is known for cold tolerance and brilliant fall coloration. Perhaps even more prized than the Japanese maple’s form is its foliage, which may be strappy, star-shaped, threadlike, deeply dissected, or otherwise distinctive. While the trees have outstanding fall color, emerging spring leaves often show exception- al color as well. Some are a kaleidoscope of changing shades through the seasons, while others maintain a consistent hue. Bark may be smooth or rough, often with exciting- enough color to rival the foliage, either year- round or in winter when something bright and cheery is welcome. Branches and twigs of Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’, for example, turn an astound- ing coral pink in winter, while those of Aoyagi’ turn lime green. ‘Bihou’ has stun- 18 GREEN SCENE • january/february 201 0 "The Japanese consider them ancestral and pass the trees on, especially bonsai, from generation to generation." ning orange winter bark; ‘Winter Flame’ has green bark in summer, red in winter. A real showoff, ‘Beni kawa’, has bright salmon-col- ored bark with green leaves through spring and summer, yellow and gold autumn foliage, and red winter bark. Michael Petrie of Handmade Gardens in Downingtown, PA ( handmadegardens.net ), says, “Some people think Japanese maples are hard to grow, which isn’t true. They’re very hardy.” Known for ease of maintenance, resistance to most diseases and pests, and an aversion to wet soils, Japanese maples thrive in full sun or open shade, and some prefer any degree of light in between. Heavily varie- gated trees favor protection from afternoon sun. If you’re within Zones 4 to 8, at least one will suit your site. Plant them in semi-acid soil, pH 6 to 6.5, using bark-based soil mixes. Avoid compost and manure unless thoroughly aged because of residual salts and risk of bacterial infec- tions to young roots. Because maples have a shallow fibrous root system, the planting hole should be wider than it is deep. If you have slow drainage, mound the soil to raise the tree’s crown 1 to 3 inches above grade. Water frequently during the first year and consis- tently thereafter. With a shallow root system, it’s best to water more often than to water deeply. Maples don’t like hard water. If your water has a high mineral content, adding gypsum at one pound per 5 gallons of soil to your mix and top dressing with gypsum annually will help remove minerals. Maples need very little fertilizer, and you should stake young trees the first year. High quality slow-release fertilizer with low nitro- gen, low residual salts, and micro nutrients (such as an azalea/camellia fertilizer applied at half the recommended rate) encourages the slow growth needed to maintain the beauty and health of the tree over the years. Apply after leaves emerge (around April). Fertilizer should be exhausted — just as you will be — before fall for best leaf color and to allow growth to harden off before winter. Fish emulsion is also fine, although don’t be sur- prised to find a bear or raccoon up your tree. All but the largest and most vigorous Japanese maples make perfect container specimens. Growing in containers is a long- term project, as these trees can live more than 100 years. The Japanese consider them ancestral and pass the trees on, especially bonsai, from generation to generation. A container at least as wide as it is tall and resilient against the elements will prevent unnecessary repotting and allow periodic root pruning. Well-constructed redwood boxes or durable containers with the appear- ance of stone or ceramic without the weight- iness work well. Sue Phillips, a grower at Handmade Gardens, says, “Containerized trees are hardy and have lots of seasonal interest and diminutive stature. I recommend A. palma- tum ‘Mikawa yatsubusa’, a true dwarf with shingled green leaves, beautiful samaras, and yellow and red fall color. Slow growing A. palmatum var. dissectum ‘Red Dragon’ offers bright spring growth and good branch struc- ture.” (However, if you’re particularly con- cerned about your containerized maple in cold weather, you can move smaller speci- mens to more sheltered spots; cluster several trees together for insulation; or wrap the trees in burlap. And always add a layer of mulch for winter protection.) Studying Japanese maples can be educational, too. You’ll learn that ‘shidare’ means “cascading,” ‘nishiki’ means “variegat- ed,”‘beni’ means “red”, and ‘Aka shigitatsu sawa’ means “red snipes over a winter marsh. And in due course, you may even be able to pronounce ‘Scolopendrifolium’. Award-winning writer llene Sternberg is the co-author of Perennials for Pennsylvania (Lone Pine Publishing). I As tilbes I Cabbage & Kale [Shade Perennials] GREEN SCENE • january/february 201 0 19 Japanese Maples The twisty-branches are particularly attractive * Rafter, a snowfall. • Handmade Gardens, 610-873-2830 handmadegardens. net • Meadowbrook Farm, 215-887-5900 gotomeadowbrook.com • RareFind Nursery, 732-833-0613 rarefindnursery. com J * pH 'mi* ' V^U k Lk i ' '* ■ ^ * V jS^J " ' el %V-V~ J* *Sv a -a- !> ' -kv™ afll '' -< \lg~ **'J*rA& 4A ■AIeT<* V -4 ■ 'Pa '. p . ^ t W, A Pfdtfr,* f'J A Pair of PHS Gold Medal Plant Winners A. palmatum var. dissectum 'Waterfall' has, as its name suggests, a cascading habit Staking is recom- mended to help create the waterfall effect. It is attractive in all seasons, pest free, and has large, finely cut it a standout in the landscape. an 18-foot spread in Zones 5 to 8 A. palmatum var. dissectum 'Tamukeyama' was selected in the early eighteenth century and remains popular today with good reason.' Growing to 6 feet with a 12-foot spread J in 20 years, it makes a hardy, long-lived * specimen and retains its red color through the heat of summer.. Its dome shape and twiggy habit provide winter ' J interest ** 21 PHLOWER PHOTOS! Jane Murphy of Oxford, PA, takes a shot at 2009 Flower Show. Take Better Shots at This Year's Flower Show 22 GREEN SCENE • january/february 201 0 I The Philadelphia International Flower Show has always been a feast for photographers, and now it seems that everyone is taking pictures, even with their tiny cell phones. While certain challenges photographers have faced in the past are still there, digital novelties like automatic white balance and image stabilization (to counter less-than-steady hands) offer solutions. And LCD screens on digital cameras give users a good indication of the picture they are getting even before the shutter is snapped. Ceiling Light vs. Flash Check your camera or phone’s manual to find out how to email your friends a photo to prove you were at the Flower Show. However, if you want good pictures of a winning entry or exhibit, you may want to consider reading about your camera’s more sophisticated features. To begin with, the high ceiling in the hall means the only light a photographer can count on is that which shines directly on the exhibits or from the flash on the camera. Some exhibits have more light than others, and that’s where image stabilization comes in. It allows shutter speeds in single-digit tractions tor darker conditions (remember, you can’t use a tripod or monopod at the Show). Flash will help in many cases, but not in all. Unwanted reflec- tions can spoil pictures, and some cameras require a shutter speed with flash too high to take advantage of the ambient light that draws you to the exhibit to begin with. Check the camera’s manu- al to see if it has an option for lower shutter speeds with flash. Also, see if you can modify the flash exposure to provide either more or less light without giving up auto exposure. The same goes for auto exposure in the camera. Also, keep in mind that many flashes will only illuminate the area a few feet in front of the camera. If you’re trying to shoot a darker exhibit from 20 or 30 feet away, it will be dark in the final photograph since the flash won’t be able to reach that far. As an alternative, move closer or try to find a better-illuminated angle. Adjusting the Exposure Learn how to adjust your camera’s exposure. A correction of one or two stops below the camera’s shutter or aperture settings results in the flash exposure giving better results for some exhibits than the “auto” settings. In some cases, I have dialed down the flash three stops, while basing exposure on the ambient light. A digital camera’s LCD screen can guide you on exposure and flash compensation. When in doubt, shoot the same picture with a few different exposure settings. This is what pro shooters call “bracketing.” Phlower Photos Editing on Your Computer For those who have Photoshop or similar picture-editing soft- ware on their computers, there is always a chance to improve your pictures at home. This is particularly useful with the Show’s extreme contrasts in lighting. You can sometimes add a little more brightness, contrast, and color and make an image more natural. Those who use their cameras at the Flower Show to make visu- al notes on particular plants or exhibits should consider the lens aperture they use. To capture both people and exhibits, or plants and their labels in focus, choose an aperture of at least F5.6 and compensate with a higher ISO (film speed) rating on the camera. Hopefully, these tips will help you take more successful shots at the Show. While the event’s lighting remains a challenge, new dig- ital technology has definitely given photographers a leg up. Happy shooting! Flower Show Photography Policy: Flower Show visitors may take unlimited photographs at the Show, provided they are for personal, non-commercial use only. However, all photographs must be taken with a hand-held camera. Please note that all camera accessories that impede foot traffic at the Show are expressly forbidden, including camera tripods, monopods, lighting setups, large reflectors, and staging shots. Lastly, professional photographers must contact the PHS Public Relations department (press@pennhort.org) prior to taking photographs at the Show. Flash dialed down thr^MHvs allowed the photographer to get the correct exposure herS^ Using PhotoShop to lighten shadows and darken highlights salvaged this picture of the Flower Show's entrance. 24 The ever-popular miniature settings are behind glass and subject to reflections, as you can see here. One trick is to shoot them on an angle, especially if you are using a flash. Getting both the photographer and her subject in focus required an aperture setting of F7. This photo shows how dark the displays can be in certain spots. Flash worked for this horticultural display. 25 Simple Tips for PLANTING n PUBLIC SPACES By Jane Carroll & Daniel Moise 26 GREEN SCENE • january/february 201 0 Photo by Margaret Funderburg Greening is often — fittingly enough — a grassroots endeavor. If you and some friends, colleagues, or classmates want to make a difference in your community, consider organizing a planting day at a park or public space. Some carefully selected perennials, shrubs, and trees can significantly invigorate a community space. First, obtain permission from the property owner, and then be sure to assess each of the following: LOCATION If you are going to invest time and energy into creating and maintaining a planting, choose a location with the most significant impact. A lovely entrance to your nearby public library, park, or town square will draw visitors and can be a point of pride for your entire community. An eye-catching display will help build enthusiasm for additional improve- ments. Other high-profile locations are sitting areas where visitors can enjoy the view or rest their feet. Do not plant immediately adjacent to trees, since tree roots can make this difficult and flowers and shrubs must compete with the tree for nutrients and water. LIGHT Observe the light conditions in potential planting areas. Determine whether the site receives direct sunlight for most of the day (six hours or more, known as full sun), part of the day (part shade), or is completely in shade all day. Select plants according to their light needs. The PFfS Gold Medal Plant Awards website (goldmedalplants.org) is a good place to start; you can search for woody plants by sun or shade preference. SOIL Heavy clay soil or hard, compacted soil will need to be amended before planting can begin. Dig deep to loosen the soil and mix in compost or good-quality topsoil before planting. Many hands make light work in removing large rocks and weeds. MAINTENANCE Choose low-maintenance plants when possible; plants native to your region are often good choices. Find one plant or shrub that you like and plant a lot of it, rather than a variety of plants. This planting style, called massing, is easier to maintain. Even people with the best intentions may find it difficult to manage the upkeep of high-maintenance plantings. If possible, devise a maintenance schedule to help ensure that the new plantings are cared for throughout the year. WATER CONSERVATION Even if your park or public space has a reliable water source, consider drought-tolerant plants and native plants that require less water. This not only conserves water, but also frees you and other volunteers to spend time on other projects. Also, drought-tolerant plants survive better during dr>r spells. You'll thank yourself in the long run for choosing these tough, reliable plants. ^ Excerpted from the PHS City Parks Handbook (available at Amazon.com). GREEN SCENE • january/february 201 0 27 Classified Ads Statement of Ownership Management and Circulation (Act of October 23, 1962; Section 4369. Title 39, United States Code) 1. Date of Filing: October 27, 2009. 2. Title of Publication: Green Scene 3. Frequency of issue: bimonthly. 4-5. Location of Known Office of Publication and Headquarters: 100 N. 20th Street, 5th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495; 6. Names and Addresses of Publisher and Editor: Publisher - The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495; Editor: Pete Prown, 100 N. 20th Street, 5th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495. 7. Owner: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia, PA 19103- 1495. 8. Known bondholders, mortgages, and other security holders holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: None. 9. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average No. Single Issue Copies Single Issue Each Issue During Nearest Preceding 12 Months Filing Date A. Total No. Copies Printed (net press run) 11,300 11,625 B Paid Circulation: 35 35 1. Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales 2. Mail subscription 11,150 11,325 C. Total Paid Circulation 11,185 11,360 D. Free Distribution by mail, carrier, or other means, samples, complimentary, and other free copies E. Free Distribution 110 110 outside the mail (carriers or other means) F. Total Free Distribution (sum of D and E) 110 110 G: Total Distribution 11,295 11,470 (sum of C and F) H. Copies not distributed: 1. Office use, left over, 150 150 unaccounted, spoiled after printing 2. Return from news agents 0 0 Total (sum of G, HI and H2) 11,445 11,620 Percent Paid and/or Requested (C divided by G times 100) 99.0% 99.0% 1 certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Pete Prown, Editor GARDEN STRUCTURES GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Custom Aluminum or Wood 33 Years’ Experience Call Robert J. LaRouche at Glass Enclosures Unlimited 610-687-2444 GREEN TECHNOLOGIES Rainwater Harvesting Systems Capture • Filter • Reuse Please visit our website to learn more www.YourPond.com Cedar Run Landscapes 1 -800-Landscape HARDSCAPING HERITAGE STONE & MARBLE We are an installation and restoration company who emphasizes long lasting quality with outstanding craftsmanship. FLAGSTONE, BRICK-patios and walkways, COBBLESTONE-edging and paving, STONE walls, RETAINING walls, MARBLE, GRANITE-floors, walls, countertops. 21 5-699-561 1 Upper Gwynedd, PA 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 BURKE BROTHERS LANDSCAPE DESIGN/BUILD Nationally-recognized designs. Experienced staff ensures the integrity of the design from concept to completion. burtebrothers.com 215-887-1773 610-520-2025 28 GREEN SCENE • january/february 2010 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 www. da vidbrothers. com DONALD PELL INC. GARDENS Design-Masonry-Landscape Please review our updated portfolio at www.donaldpell.com 610-917-1385 LINDA CORSON LANDSCAPE DESIGN • Consulting • Plans • Supervision Registered Landscape Architect Member ASLA 215-247-5619 MULCH BALED PINE NEEDLE MULCH Pick up/Delivery/Spreading service Cedar Run Landscapes Call for brochure 1 -800-LANDSCAPE www.CedaiflunLandscapes.com FLOWERS AND MORE, INC. Garden Design, Installation & Maintenance PINE-NEEDLE MULCH Wholesale and Retail 610-701-9283 renee52@comcast.net NURSERIES 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.mutschters.com Triple Oaks Nursery & Herb Garden • Great Plants • Display Gardens • Programs • Franklinville, New Jersey www.tripleoaks.com 856-694-4272 greatplants@tripleoaks.com PICTURE FRAMING REAL ESTATE Frames and Company We’ve been framing for 37 years and can make any artwork blossom! Our design/framers and archival materials will guarantee a perennial favorite. Our photo frames will put your friends in the best light, and we have mirrors to reflect your good taste. 10% off for PHS members. 3723 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square Under the Green & White Awning 610.356.8122 www. framesandcompany. com Horticulturist’s Dream Home for Sale 4 bedroom 2 1/2 Bath Contemporary 1 .57 Acres in Newtown Square, Delaware County, PA A Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat w/ Pond, Woodland 200+ Native Shrubs & Plants. Century 21 Alliance 610-356-8400 Contact: Susan McKeown, Realtor www.mckeownandwade.com sfmckeown@aol.com TREES 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 29 The Backyard PHS staff member Julie Snell lays out plants for the rain garden. Rainwater Innovation ataPHILLY CHARTER SCHOOL By Daniel Moise uring recess at Independence Charter School, located at 16th & Lombard streets in Center City Philadelphia, the students now enjoy a playground that’s both fun and functional. Equipped with stormwater management technology, the new schoolyard provides a dynamic learning environment. Working in partnership with the Philadelphia Water Department and other organizations, PHS (through its Philadelphia Green pro- gram) helped students and teachers learn how their building could reduce its impact on the environment. Although Independence had recently renovated its playground, PHS’s Julie Snell saw an opportu- nity to make it more ecological. “The ultimate goal ol stormwater management is to decrease the amount of rainfall that enters the sewers. That helps keep our rivers pollution-free,” Julie says. “We wanted to equip the school with land- scape improvements that divert, retain, and re-purpose rainwater — all while providing a learning opportunity for the students. We set to work on a master plan.” D Michele Adams and Susan McDaniels from Meliora Environmental Design assisted PHS and the Water Department in drafting the plan. Once the design was complete, the group hired ThinkGreen of Glenside, PA, to perform the installation. The clock was ticking when construction began in late July 2009 — everyone hoped to complete the project before school started on September 8. Although it required long days and lots of effort, every- thing was in place when the buses, each teeming with excited kids, arrived for the first day of school. The children, as well as parents, teachers, and school faculty, saw a new play yard that had been repaved with new surfaces, including porous asphalt. Now, rather than discharging surface runoff, the play yard captures rainwater on site and lets it absorb into an infiltration bed underneath. “Re-grading the play yard provided a safer and smoother surface for the children to run on and play games,” Susan McDaniels says. “The entire area is much more attractive.” “We were also able to use recycled materials for much of the new paving,” adds Peter Johnson, cofounder of ThinkGreen. “Our goal was to make this already-green project as earth-friendly as possible.” A new brick walkway directs rainfall that flows into the rain garden into a pebble runnel, or “surface gutter.” A rain garden is a shallow basin or depression planted with native perennials, trees, and shrubs that tolerate wet conditions. Here, water can collect and slowly seep into the ground. An overflow structure allows for easy drainage in the event of excessive rainfall. “The rain garden is a perfect example of something that home- owners can install to capture runoff from their rooftops or driveways. It adds an aesthetic improvement, too,” Susan says. “For the children at Independence Charter School, it demonstrates how the water cycle works by showing where the water ‘goes’ in a rain storm.” Julie Snell says, “We had some of the older students help plant grasses and perennials in the rain garden. (These were donated by North Creek Nurseries, a wholesale grower that specializes in native perennials, nortbcreeknurseries.com.) They had fun digging in the soil and using the tools, but equally important is that they understood how their efforts, and the project as a whole, help keep our water cleaner.” The new play yard incorporates stormwater technology. 30 GREEN SCENE • january/february 2010 active picturesque comfortable full service To see for yourself what people are talking about come to an event or take a tour and see selected apartments and villas at appealing prices and affordable monthly fees. A CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 601 N. Ithan Avenue I Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 610-526-7000 I beaumontretirement.com Medford Leas With garden-style townhomes and apartments... easy campus living... beautiful arboretum settings. ..extraordinary amenities. ..extensive mind and body "fitness for life" programs. . . Total Home Maintenance . . . on-site continuum of wellness and health care services, and much more... you really can have it all! A nationally accredited. Quaker-related, not-for-profit community for those age 55+, with campuses in Medford and Lumberton. N] HOME OF THE LEWIS W. BARTON ARBORETUM AND NATURE PRESERVE MEMBER, GREATER PHILADELPHIA GARDENS MEDFORDLEAS.ORG 609.654.3000 or 800.331.4302 GREEN SCENE • january/february 201 0 31 Success doesn’t come easy and you’ve worked hard for what you have. At PNC, we understand the wealth you’ve earned isn’t an end in itself. It’s simply a way to help you take on your next challenge. That’s why our highest priority is to thoroughly understand your situation. And help guide you on your journey ahead. Call (888) 762-6226 or visit pnc.com. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc, ("PNC") provides investment and wealth management, fiduciary services, FDIC-insured banking products and services and lending and borrowing of funds through its subsidiaries, PNC Bank, National Association and PNC Bank. Delaware, which are Members FDIC. PNC does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. ©2007 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Alt rights reserved Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. SPECIAL EDITION IHulicduloe. EXPERIENCE a woi LD OF UNSEEN BEAUTY ...RIGHT UNDER. YOUR^ NOSE. ' We can't see it, but it attracts us. We can't hear it, but it speaks to us. We can't feel it, but it touches us deeply. Longwood Gardens takes you inside the unmapped universe of scent with its debut exhibition, Making Scents: The Art and Passion of Fragrance. This fully interactive experience explores the art, science, and mystery of fragrance— from the Perfumeries of Paris to the Floral Fantasy that is Longwood Gardens. OPENING APRJL 10 MAKING SCENTS THE ART and PASSION of PRj\GRj\NCE 610.388.1000 • www.longwoodgardens.org photo ©Andrea Jones . Cathedral Village The “Tip of the Iceberg” is ... An opportunity for you to participate in the complete renovation of a Country apartment , one of our largest and most luxurious style floor plans, with your choice of... \ ♦ Hardwood flooring in the foyer, living room, dining room and kitchen. ♦ A kitchen with all stainless steel appliances. ♦ New kitchen cabinetry and easy-to-maintain granite or Zodiaq® countertops. ♦ Modern amenities in each bathroom and non-slip ceramic or porcelain tile floors. ♦ Wall-to-wall carpet colors in the bedrooms and hallway. ♦ Modern custom lighting as well as complete crown molding and chair rail trim. ♦ Paint colors for walls and trim. Under “The Tip of the Iceberg” is ... What you don’t see . . . Excellence in extensive resident services and in our most comprehen- sive healthcare system, which now includes Assisted Living care in the comfort of your own spacious Country apartment, if ever required — as well as an unmatched lifestyle in a financially stable and credit-rated community. The unmatched lifestyle also includes enjoying winter this year by swimming in the warmth of our pool, exercising in the fitness center, attending numerous professional concerts here in Cathedral Hall or having our security personnel take you to the Philadelphia Orchestra or theater events. Discover the Village College, Horticultural and Greenhouse activities, the separate Painting and Pottery Studios and classes; and the many other features and services of the Cathedral Village lifestyle that our residents find so enjoyable. ^ There is so much more than meets the eye at Cathedral Village T Call or Visit Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Appointments are needed for weekends and holidays. 600 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 (215) 984-8622 1*11 Cathedral Village is a Nonprofit, Nondenominational Continuing Care Retirement Community www.cathedralvillage.com Accredited by CARF-CCAC Since 1984 • Affiliated With the Jefferson Fiealth System Since 1986 n march-april 2010 Editor Pete Prown Senior Editor Jane Carroll Associate Editor Daniel Moise Staff Photographer Margaret Funderburg Art Design Baxendells' Graphic Printer ALCOM Printing Group, Inc, Website PHSonline.org 100 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 215-988-8800 Chair John K. Ball President Jane G. Pepper Executive Vice President J, Blaine Bonham, Jr. PHS Membership Information Linda Davis, 215-988-8776 Display & Classified Ads Manzo Media Group 610-527-7047 mmanzo@manzomediagroup com FEATURES g A Flower Show-Inspired Dream Room In Center City Philadelphia, Heather and Michael Ascher gave up a parking spot behind their house but gained a "garden room" that will provide year-round color. Join us for a tour. Garden Q & A Phone Line 215-988-8777 Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 12 / closed in December / askagardener@pennhort. org GREEN SCENE (USPS 955580), Volume 38, No. 2, is published bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a nonprofit 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. © 2010 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Springing into Spring Noted horticulturist Stephanie Cohen shares a few of her favorite early perennials for the bed or border U2010 Flower Show Preview Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the upcoming Philadelphia International Flower Show and its theme, Passport to the World. T\me to pack a suitcase! A Garden for the Spirit Adam Levine takes us to Bryn Athyn Cathedral, north of Philadelphia, which has a landscape of, dare we say, divine beauty and heavenly gardens. Bountiful Berries in the Cold Jessie Keith teaches us about several plants that offer colorful fruit during the cold season. Tiny Marvels Last year, two ladies from Delaware County entered the Flower Show's vaunted "Miniature Settings" class and took home a world of experiences and excitement. Let's learn more. FSC Mixed Sources Product group from well-managed forests and other controlled sources www.fsc.org Cert no. SW-COC-002714 © 1996 Forest Stewardship Council COLUMNS 40 Greening Basics Lawns for Public Spaces 46 The Backyard A Busy Roadway Adds a Splash of Color The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. Letter from the President The Flower Show's New "INTERNATIONAL" Flavor Ve always been a traveler. It’s how I expand my world and bring home what I learn about the gardens and landscapes ol other countries. The horticulture of other lands also has had an important place in the exhibition halls of the Philadelphia Flower Show since it began. In June 1829, at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s first “exhibition of fruits, flowers and plants,” a bird-of-paradise from the Cape of Good Hope and a Mexican plant now known as the poinsettia were introduced to American gardeners. The exhi- bition also included peonies from China, a rubber tree from India, and sugar cane from the Caribbean. Shows in the 1880s reflected growing interest in Japanese chrysanthe- mums. In the 1930s, Dutch bulbs took the limelight, and later English flower-arranging had a strong influence. Exhibitors from Asia, Europe, and Canada participated in the Flower Show in the 1980s. African and Latin American exhibitors brought fabulous flora in the 1990s. Irish and Italian partners joined us in presenting wonderful shows in 2007 and 2009. So it should come as no surprise that in 2010 we’ve taken on a new name. From February 28 through March 7, 2010 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, PHS will present the Philadelphia International Flower Show. It is our way of acknowledging that the Show has become a world-renowned, world-class exhibition. To launch the new name, we have the per- fect theme for the 20 1 0 Show: Passport to the World. Guests will be transported to dozens of destinations around the globe and enjoy a diverse, multicultural experience. To begin the journey, they will enter through an Explorer’s Garden, a turn-of-the-century set- ting featuring a Victorian gate, Wardian glass cases and gazebos, spectacular fountains, and a 28-foot-high hot-air balloon adorned with freeze-dried roses and pansies. Visitors will then embark on their own adventures. The first of the Showcase Gardens will recreate an Indian wedding scene decorated with palm trees, cascading jasmine, bright marigolds, and a towering ele- phant covered in flowers. The culture and landscapes of South Africa will be expressed in tribal headdresses and masks, floral ani- mals, and a walk-through hut. Thousands of gorgeous bulbs will bloom in a Dutch shop and street scene, and a luminescent tribute to the orchid will represent Singapore’s national botanical gardens. A flowing dragon will wind its way through a depiction of the salt springs and rugged landscape of New Zealand, while a canopy of tropical flora and sparkling waterfalls greet visitors to the Brazilian rainforest. Watch for exotic birds, both imaginary and real! Other exhibits will celebrate the landscapes and plants of China, Japan, Thailand, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and the Caribbean. Visitors can even enjoy the spectacle of the Aurora Borealis from the Flower Show floor. Of course, the Show will feature thousands of plant and floral design entries in hundreds of competitive categories. More than 1 30 gar- dening presentations and educational events will take place throughout the week. A redesigned PHS Village will offer a sampler of our programs, highlighted by two demonstra- tion gardens where visitors can pick up tips and find answers to horticultural questions. Shoppers will find everything they need for the garden and home in the fabulous Marketplace. They can also visit the World Bazaar of decorative shops on the Show Bridge, featuring crafts and products from around the world. An expanded PA Wine &: Spirits Store in the Grand Hall will include free tastings, and an International Dessert and Coffee Bar will offer a refreshing break between travels. Live performances will lift the spirit and soul, from the rhythm of the Brazilian samba to the beat of Bollywood and beyond. Expect great music and dance on the Explorer’s Stage. Flower Show ticket sales benefit Philadelphia Green, our acclaimed urban revitalization program, as well as other PHS outreach and educational activities. Providing a strong foundation are our dedicated spon- sors. We are very grateful to our Presenting Sponsor for 19 years, PNC Bank. Heartfelt thanks to Premier Sponsor Subaru of America Inc.; Official Sponsors Acme Markets, Bartlett Tree Experts, EP Henry, Mantis, and Tourism Ireland; Media Partner WPVI-TV 6ABC; and caterer ARAMARK. Your Passport is stamped and ready, and I hope you’ll accompany me on a journey to exotic landscapes; extraordinary sights, scents, and tastes; and delightful entertain- ment. Many thanks to our amazing exhibitors, who give us so much pleasure with their stunning displays. And, as always, thanks to all of you for your support of PHS. — Jane G. Pepper PHS President 6 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 When you love life and pursue your passions, life will love you back. When you love people, they will love you back. The Potting Shed Taking the FLOWER SHOW Home By Daniel Moise Inspiration sometimes comes when you least expect it. When Center City residents Heather and Michael Ascher attended the Philadelphia Flower Show in 2006, they didn’t anticipate that a certain exhibit would inspire a major home renovation. “The Flower Show has always showcased the possibilities of interior gardens, and in the past I had always left with an idea or two,” Heather recalls. “But that year, the instant I saw the Meadowbrook Farm exhibit, the wheels in my head began to turn.” The display was of a walled garden filled with hardy plants and adorned with hanging baskets. Heather won- dered, “Could I create such a setting in my own home?” For years the Aschers craved a pri- vate outdoor space, but this luxury seemed unrealistic for their town- house at 22nd Street and St. James Place (part of what’s called the English Village). Heather says the property’s original design did include a small, shared lawn, but homes had expanded since then, leaving the Aschers with only a narrow parking spot. What if the parking space could become a garden room? Before leav- ing the Convention Center that day, Heather and Michael decided they had to try. For a project this big, the Aschers knew they couldn't do it alone. Heather’s first call was to John Story, director of Meadowbrook Farm. John helped create the Flower Show exhib- it that had inspired the Aschers, so he seemed like a logical choice for select- ing the best plants for the space. Due to the unorthodox dimensions of the planned room, the Aschers knew whoever they hired to construct the greenhouse-like ceiling would have to be the type who embraces a challenge. Fortunately, they found Robert J. LaRouche of Glass Enclosures Unlimited. Rounding out the team was architect Tim Kerner ot Terra Studios. His role was bringing the outdoors inside while maintain- ing an open, airy feel. Heather sings Tim’s praises, saying, “He is a genius when it comes to space. You can have the best ideas, but to see them realized you need to have the expertise of professionals. ” The long construction period is a distant memory now as the Aschers revel in their new room. Tim says he’s most pleased with the way the space makes the adjoining dining room and kitchen far brighter than before. For her part, Heather gushes about the fresh air provided by a set of louvre windows (glass panels that tilt to a near- vertical degree). As for Michael, he is elated to have the opportunity to garden year- round. The room is equipped with a beautiful bronze sink with a spigot tucked below for watering plants, and heating coils under the tile floor help regulate the temperature. To stock the room, John Story had invited the Aschers to visit Meadowbrook Farm, PHS’s affiliate located in Abington Township. There they not only purchased their plants, but had them potted as well. After that, Mark Petteruti of Botanical Expressions helped lay out where the plants would go. Some of Michael’s new-found favorites include two vari- eties of begonia, ‘Defoe’ and 'Palomar Prince’, as well as ‘False Aralia’ (. Schefflera elegantissima), ‘Ming Aralia’ ( Polyscias fruticosa ), and ‘Tweed’ (. Anthurium polyschistum). As they putter around their indoor garden, the Aschers are visibly delighted. Heather sighs, “Many tal- ented people contributed many, many hours to complete this project; I'm so appreciative. And to think, it all start- ed at the Flower Show.” CD CO 0) & > .Q W O O r Q. Left: The architect's rendering of the new exterior. Below:: The former parking spot is now an extension of the home. There is More to Spring Than Meets the Eye Underused Early Perennials for the Border by Stephanie Cohen For gardeners who gush over the first crocus and go into ecstasy at the earliest blooms of forsythia, there are equally excellent perennials out there crying for a good press agent. The lour selections we’ll look at here deserve their 1 5 minutes of fame so they, too, can become stars of your spring garden. The first is blue star, known as Amsonia X ‘Blue Ice’ (Zones 5 to 9), which is a wonderful combination of Amsonia tabernaemontana and Amsonia montana. Neither parent claims this child, so it needs a home in your garden. A native found in most of the eastern United States, it flourishes in average garden soil with full sun (in shade it develops a stance like the Leaning Tower of Pisa). It has no major insect or disease problems, requires no pruning, and needs no winter protection. Easy is good! This perennial is a scant 12 to 15 inches tall, so let it grow into big clumps for best impact. Since it is on the smaller side, ‘Blue Ice’ makes a perfect plant for the edge of a border, for rock gardens, and in all types of naturalistic plantings. Its lovely dark blue, star-like flowers bloom longer than most other blue stars. Unlike some other spring flowers, it will not look shabby in the dog days of summer. And the intensely colored flowers contrast nicely with the green leaves that turn mellow yellow in fall. Try it! My next suggestion is a columbine called Aquilegia vulgaris ‘William Guiness’. Unfortunately, old Bill got into a bit of difficulty in Britain. He came to the States in the witness protection program as ‘Magpie’, but it’s the same guy! These old-fashioned flowers are some- times referred to as (the far-less-masculine) Granny’s bonnet and are hardy in Zones 3 to 8. It is a short-spurred columbine, and its hand- some coloration — a white corolla with deep-purple inner petals — makes it look black. Some think it is the color of a pint of Guinness Stout. All columbines perform best in good garden loam sited in part shade. However, since they have never read the garden textbooks, they grow wherever they drop their seeds. Columbines have a habit of interbreed- ing, so plant different cultivars in different areas or you will have unusual progeny. Also be aware of the threat posed by leaf miners (insect larvae that live in and eat plant tissue). You can use spray, but personally 1 just plant columbines among hostas, which when mature do a wonderful job of concealing less-than-perfect columbine leaves. Really, their basic appeal is their charm as an old-fashioned plant that ‘William Guiness’ gives your garden a cozy cottage feel. To quote Dr. Allan Armitage, “a garden without columbine is unacceptable." Now forgive me for cheating a bit, because the next plant is really a biennial (although sometimes it doesn’t look that way because it pops up elsewhere in the garden). Lunaria annua is often called honesty or money plant and grows in Zones 4 to 8. If you need a fast buck, this won’t help you — it got its name from the fruit that appears after flow- ering. The fruit’s papery outer covering falls off, but you can it peel off to collect seeds and control self-sowing. What remains is a 2-inch-wide, round, dried silvery disc; hence, the common name. A word of warn- ing, do not plant all the seeds because you will have more money in your garden than you ever wanted! The money plant grows 2 to 3 feet tall with heart-shaped, dark green leaves. The dainty, medium purple flowers that appear in April or May blend well with other spring bulbs and perennials. They look especially cool with white daffodils. I’m partial to Lunaria var. variegata, which has white margins around the edges of the leaves and looks attractive when not in flower. It pairs well with Lunaria var. alba, the white money plant. Lunaria annua grows in average soil and full sun, but in my garden it has seeded in light shade and hasn’t complained. For indoor use, it looks great in dried arrange- ments or winter bouquets. Although after a season or two the silvery discs become dust collectors, so cut some new ones. Last, but not least, check out the Tiarella cordifolia Diva-rella series, developed by Sinclair Adam of Dunvegan Nursery in West Chester, PA ( dunvegan - nursery.com ), and named after three divas of the plant world. The foamflowers in question are: ‘F. M. Mooberry’, named for the founder of the Millersville Native Plant Conference; ‘Dr. Sherry Kitto’, after a prominent researcher and professor at the University of Delaware; and, flatteringly enough, ‘Stephanie Cohen’, named in honor of me. Short, like me, Tiarella “Stephanie Cohen’ is a great plant for any shade garden and is possibly one of the most floriferous foamflowers on the market. As the clump widens, it sends up more flowers, which makes it very long-blooming. Use it in the front border, a rock garden, in containers, or as a groundcover. Mine has good fall color as well. It grows in Zones 3 to 8 and requires moisture-retentive soil and good garden loam. Better still, it isn’t every day you can have a diva in your garden. Stephanie Cohen is a nationally known garden writer, lecturer and educator. Among her titles is The Perennial Gardener's Design Primer (Storey Publishing). Visit the Barnes Foundation's world-class art collection during its final year in Merion. >85? ■ . ::-,x • - • • Open for extended hours throughout the Flower Show For tickets and information, visit: www.barnesfoundation.org or call 610-667-0290 The Barnes Foundation | 300 North Latch’s Lane, Merion, Pennsylvania 19066 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 11 Current APS Memoirs Peter Collinson and the Eighteenth- Century Natural History Exchange Jean O'Neill and Elizabeth P. McLean Vol. 264 - $75.00 • Cloth ISBN: 978-0-87169-264-1 Peter Collinsons life is a microcosm of eighteenth-century natural history. A London Quaker, a draper by trade, and a passionate gardener and naturalist by avocation, Collinson was what we would now call a facilitator in natural science, disseminating botanical and horticultural knowledge during the Enlightenment. He influenced men such as Comte de Buffon and Linnaeus. He found clients for the Philadelphia Quaker farmer and naturalist, John Bartram, at a time when the English landscape was evolving to emphasize trees and shrubs, and the more exotic the better. In this monograph, the authors give a convincing biographical portrait of Collinson. He "speaks" to the reader throughout the book in a distinct voice. POLAR HAYES: The Life and Contributions of Isaac Israel Hayes, M.D. Douglas W. Wamsley Vol. 262 - $75.00 • Cloth ISBN: 978-0-87169-262-7 As a member of the harrowing American Arctic expedition under the command of Dr. Elisha Kent Kane in search of the lost British explorer Sir John Franklin, Isaac Israel Hayes became obsessed with mak- ing his own mark in the far northern polar regions. He organized his own privately funded voyage to the Arctic in 1860, during which he claimed to have reached a 'far- thest north' and to have stood on the edge of the fabled "Open Polar Sea," a mythical ice-free zone in the high northern latitudes. Polar Hayes brings to light the complete story of an immensely talented individual. Drawing upon Hayes family papers, little-viewed diaries from Hayes's own expeditions, and unpublished primary sources, the story emerges of a remark- able but forgotten explorer, writer, politician and humanitarian who epito- mized the rugged and restless spirit of adventure and individualism of nineteenth- century America. COMING SOON: Patriot-Improvers, Volume III Whitfield J. Bell and Charles Griefenstein Vol. 228 - $50.00 • Cloth ISBN: 978-0-87169-229-0 Current APS Transactions Playing with Fire: Histories of the Lightning Rod Peter Heering, Oliver Hochadel, David J. Rhees (editors) Vol. 99, Pt. 5 - $35.00 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-995-5 In 2002 the world commemorated the 250th anniversary of the invention of the lightning rod. In 2006 the tercentenary of the birth of its inventor, Benjamin Franklin, was celebrated. In spite of this attention, the development and adoption of the light- ning rod remain poorly understood. Playing with Fire reveals the complex his- tories of the lightning rod in a multidiscipli- nary and multifaceted manner. To reflect on the development of the "Franklin rod" is to understand how science and technol- ogy have entered our world and changed it in profound ways. Magnetic Fever: Global imperialism and Empiricism in the Nineteenth Century Christopher Carter Vol. 99, Pt. 4 - $35.00 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-994-8 Magnetic Fever explores the links between science and empire in the 19th century, focusing on the mutual interac- tions of British imperialism and geophysi- cal empiricism. Science was becoming global, in part due to European colonial and imperial expansion. Both the scientific theories and the geopolitical realities played a role in creating the tool for studying global science still in use today. Choosing Selection: The Revival of Natural Selection in Anglo- American Evolutionary Biology, 1930-1970 Stephen G. Brush Vol. 99, Pt. 3 - $35 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-993-1 2009 J. F. LEWIS AWARD WINNER Choosing Selection describes the establishment of the hypothesis that Charles Darwin's natural selection is the primary or exclusive mechanism for biological evolution. During the 1930s, alternatives such as Lamarchism, macro- mutations, and orthogenesis were rejected in favor of natural selection acting on small mutations, but there was disagreement about the role of random genetic drift in evolution. By the 1950s, research byT. Dobzhansky, E. B. Ford, and others persuaded leading evolutionists that natural selection was so powerful that drift was generally unimportant. THE MOST IMPORTANT CLOCK IN AMERICA The David Rittenhouse Astronomical Musical Clock at Drexel University Ronald R. Hoppes Vol. 99, Pt. 2 - $35 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-992-4 Ronald Hoppes always admired the David Rittenhouse astronomical musical clock and over the years he found historical accounts on the clock, but discovered that information on the indications and the mechanical details were absent. During the clock's restoration he had the opportu- nity to examine the movement and list detailed descriptions for each of the clock's various indications and operations. With this book, it is ensured that the clock's mechanical details, previously undocumented and unavailable, will not be lost or forgotten. Descended From Darwin: Insights into the History of Evolutionary Studies, 1900-1970 Joe Cain and Michael Ruse (editors) Vol. 99, Pt. 1 - $35 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-991-7 This volume arises from a symposium held in Philadelphia in October 2004. Scholars convened to focus on the "synthesis" period in evolutionary studies, when fundamental changes occurred in the discipline. How does recent scholar- ship change our understanding of the period? How does it alter our sense of connection across the generations? How do activities in evolutionary studies relate with developments elsewhere in biology? The papers presented at the conference both informed an assessment of the state of the history of evolutionary studies and pressed it forward with new and thought- ful scholarship. Collectively, the papers selected for inclusion in the book make a significant, and occasionally provocative, contribution to their field. The Long Route to the Invention of the Telescope Rolf Willach Vol. 98, Pt. 5 - $35 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-985-6 The Invention of the Telescope Albert van Helden Vol. 67, Pt. 4 - $30 • Paper Original print date 1977; reprinted 2008 ISBN-10: 0-87169-674-6 ISBN-13: 978-0-87169-674-8 Sophie de Grouchy, Letters on Sympathy (1798): A Critical Edition Karin Brown Letters translated by James E. McClellan III Vol. 98, Pt. 4 - $35 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-984-9 Raising Kane: The Construction of Dr. Kane, Hero of the Romantic Age Mark Metzger Sawin Vol. 98, Pt. 3 - $35.00 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-983-2 Franz Boas and W. E. B. Du Bois at Atlanta University, 1906 Rosemary Levy Zumwalt Vol. 98, Pt. 2 - $35 • Paper ISBN: 978-0-87169-982-4 2008 J.F. LEWIS AWARD WINNER Alhacen on Image-Formation and Distortion in Mirrors: A Critical Edition, with English Translation and Commentary, of Book 6 of Alhacen's De Aspectibus, the Medieval Latin Version of Ibn al-Haytham's Kitab al-Manazir A. Mark Smith Vol. 98, Pt. 1 - $29 each; $42 set • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-981-8 Lightning Rod Press Titles THE CHINDALI LANGUAGE OF MALAWI - 3 volumes - $100.00 for set Volume 1 - A Chindali and English Dictionary, with an Index to Proto-Bantu Roots Robert Botne, in collaboration with Loveness Schafer ISBN: 978-1-60618-909-2 LIGHTNING ROD PRESS, NUMBER 1 $45.00 • Paper Volume 2 - A Grammatical Sketch of Chindali, Malawian Variety Robert Botne ISBN: 978-1-60618-910-8 LIGHTNING ROD PRESS, NUMBER 2 $35.00 • Paper Volume 3 - Narratives of Chindali Life and Culture Compiled and analyzed by Robert Botne, in collaboration with Loveness Schafer ISBN: 978-1-60618-911-5 LIGHTNING ROD PRESS, NUMBER 3 $40.00 • Paper "TO DO JUSTICE TO HIM & MYSELF": Evert Wendell's Account Book of the Fur Trade with Indians in Albany, New York, 1695-1726 Edited and Translated by Kees-Jan Waterman with linguistic information by Gunther Michelson ISBN: 978-1-60618-912-2 LIGHTNING ROD PRESS. NUMBER 4 $50.00 • Paper American Philosophical Society 104 South Fifth Street • Philadelphia, PA 19106-3387 • (Tel) 215-440-3425 • (Fax) 215-440-3450 BOOK ORDERS: Please contact our fulfillment service — Diane Publishing Co., PO. Box 617, Darby, PA 19023 (phone 800-782-3833; fax 610-461-6130). Online orders may be sent to orders@dianepublishing.net See our website for recent catalogs and backlist; www.aps-pub.com We Grow Beautiful Lawns Espoma's new All Natural Lawn Program helps prevent unsightly weeds from popping up in your lawn while it nourishes the grass so that it becomes more resistant to heat, drought and other stress And because the products consist of 100% organic ingredients, they are safe for your family, your pets, and the environment. NATURAL ORGANiq No- Worries ' f I El • espoma.com Drawings by Bill Lance, GMR Design ALL ABOARD! A First-Class Trip to Passport to the World After a cold, dark winter hibernat- ing at home, why not travel the globe and delight in its most glorious flowers, plants, and gardens? Your ticket to the 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show is all you need tor your Passport to the World. “We want our visitors to go on an adventure and have an amazing experi- ence,” says Sam Lemheney, Show design director. “We want them to feel like they’re going around the world.” When you come to the Flower Show, you’ll feel that sense of adventure and discovery as soon as you walk under the entranceway, a canopy of fragrance and cascading arrange- ments of flowers. You’ll see a hot-air balloon floating 28 feet off the floor. As you get clos- er, you’ll see more than 80,000 dried flowers covering the balloon and depicting a globe of the world. This was created by Barb King of Valley Forge Flowers, along with her staff and a team of volunteers. With this airborne introduction to the Show’s “Explorer’s Garden,” you will have a chance to appreciate exotic plants collected from around the world, including some introduced at the first Philadelphia Flower Show in 1829. Others are descended directly from species collected during the Wilkes Expedition of the Pacific almost 200 years ago. The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens, and the U.S. Botanic Garden are all forcing plants for 14 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 “We want our visitor the Flower Show, including echium; African bulbs; poinsettias; cycads; angiopteris; giant platter water lilies; and, if all goes well, Meconopsis — the blue Himalayan poppy that is notoriously difficult to force into bloom or grow in the Philadelphia area. “It will be a first to have all these plants together in one garden,” Sam says. Showcase gardens surround the Explorer’s Garden and will transport visitors to six horticulturally diverse corners of the globe, from the Brazilian rainforest to an Indian wedding scene. Here’s a glimpse: The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) will re-create a village in SOUTH AFRICA. Representing three tribes, the exhibit will feature two beehive huts, a life-size giraffe and lion, flocks of birds on overhead branches, 20 wildly interpretive masks, and more. “It will be like we dug up 2,500 square feet of a village and brought it . av/e an a^azi^ to the Convention Center,” notes Ron Mulray, owner of the Philadelphia Flower Co. and coordinator of the AIFD exhibit. “We want the set to be very authentic, because we know the designers are going to take it to the next level with flowers.' Burke Brothers Landscape Contractors will concentrate on the rainforest regions of BRAZIL, according to Laurie Clabbers, who is overseeing the design and plant selection for the Wyndmoor, PA, company. “The rainfor- est offered a chance to add drama and a sense of mystery to the Show,” she says. “The Above and left: Artistic drawings used during Flower Show planning. Bottom Valley Forge Flowers creates the giant floral globe. GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 15 A0U9'-\'-U aid a senre of thof. “77>e rafnforert offered a chanc^ *° <&e4&KA&Ms exM/uj hMn^,aahdm. and Jjlc&v dud/ ddiwJb 5,000 ctemS ^/tMv cAh&and td doJ^zid bz dcO^cUidmA & ddoiMnv/ Elizabeth Schumacher's / ' vl!' ' \ \ ’T’ \ V** WA , ft*. ~ " ,51 #» / V r" va ; '-A,. m V Candelabra by Artist Sandra Webber king : 4fek 7 . ;-■ *1 A * 4 Union Hill Rd • West Conshohocken, PA 1 9428 • 610.825.5525 Open year round, please call or visit our website for current store hours www.gardenaccents.com exhibit will feature a large lagoon with a waterfall, surrounded by dense foliage and vines. Within that foliage will be hundreds of bright bromeliads, heliconias, begonias, and anthuriums.” Don’t miss the vibrant topiary flamingos, a urking caiman, and predatory eyes watching from the jungle — not to mention live tropical birds flying freely about the exhibit, courtesy of the Philadelphia Zoo. Jamie Rothstein Distinctive Floral Designs will create a traditional wedding scene from INDIA in a flower-laden garden. The Philadelphia floral designer has done extensive research on India’s wedding customs and rituals, so visitors can expect to see a traditional wedding mandap, or canopy, as well as lots of marigolds, garlands, floral mosaics, jasmine, and a life-size moss elephant draped in a floral blanket (with painted toenails, of course). Jamie says, “I want people to take away the essence of India after they visit the exhibit — the colors, the smell of flowers and spices, the excite- ment of all GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 these senses. Stoney Bank Nurseries, Inc. will inter- pret three styles of NEW ZEALAND gardens, including a tropical garden of wellbeing representing the Maori people; a Colonial-inspired bog garden; and an area symbolizing “Kiwiana,” i.e., items related to the cultural heritage ol this South Pacific country. “We will not be using plants that are native to New Zealand but those that can be found locally and that mimic the form and textures of plants Photo: Jeannette tindvig Lost & Wild Gardens Bank to Bend: The Wild Garden in the 21st Century March 13, 2010, 11:00 am Writer, photographer, and gardener Rick Darke will discuss the re-issue of William Robinson's revolutionary book The Wild Garden. Through historic and contemporary examples, Darke will explain why wild gardening is the most enjoyable and sustainable approach for our time. $20; $15 Members. To register, call 800.448.3883. Wild Wonder: The March Bank One of the most successful wild gardens in the world, this remarkable, five-acre hillside bursts into peak bloom in March. Stroll winding garden paths and delight in sweeping carpets of yellow and blue blossoms. Narrated tram tours are available. To discover what’s in bloom, call 302.888.4856, or visit gardenblog.winterthur.org.t Lost Gardens of the Brandywine Exhibition March 27-July 26, 2010 Through rare early color images and garden relics, explore the private historic gardens of the Brandywine Valley— hidden gems of fleeting beauty, many of which have been lost to timed X Members free. Included with alt admission tickets. WINTERTHUR MUSEUM & COUNTRY ESTATE Nestled in Delaware’s beautiful Brandywine Valley on Route 52, between 1-95 and Route I 800.448.3883 • 302.888.4600 • winterthur.org GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 17 mil; * * * found in New Zealand gardens,” explains Jack Blandy, Stoney Banks’s founder and president. Look tor the Maori totem, which was carved from a Paulownia tree trunk har- vested from the Glen Mills nursery, and the specially designed “Hot Water Lizard Sculpture” that will carry water down its back to geothermal pools, designed by artist Greg Leavitt. For an urban experience, hit the streets of the NETHERLANDS, featuring a flower market, water display, and quaint Dutch lanes. “You’ll feel like you’re right inside a town in Holland,” promises Lisa Roth of Robertson’s Flowers in Philadelphia. Lead designers Karina Keff and Eric Schellack are working with European growers and trying to get as many different specimens as possible to deliver a surprise-filled, tulip-packed exhibit. Waldor Orchids will create an Asian- inspired orchid tree for its SINGAPORE garden. The exhibit will offer “a big show of blooming Phalaenopsis , a white fountain of more than 200 plants,” says Dave Off, who with his father, Walt, is designing Waldor’s display. Although trees draped in flowering plants are typically seen in Asian shows, Dave assures us that Waldor’s creation will be a first for the Philadelphia International Flower Show. A reflecting pool will enhance the walk-through exhibit. PHS president Jane G. Pepper, who will preside over her final Flower Show before she retires this year, notes, “I’m so excited for this year’s Flower Show. It’s our first truly ‘international’ show and a great way to see, literally, a world of gardens.” begin at Gateway. Gateway Garden Center... is your source for plants that will delight you and add beauty to your life. gatewaygardens.com 7277 Lancaster Pike Hockessin, DE 19707 302-239-2727 mm •> Heat Shed, Inc. Solar Photovoltaic Systems Residences & Commercial Systems P: 610-847-2064 F: 610-847-2110 www.heatshed.com Heat Shed, Inc. 267 Rock Ridge Rd. Revere, PA 18953 SUN POWER Premier Dealer Since 1977 Philadelphia Flower Show Booth #333 18 GREEN SCENE • morch/april 2010 SHOW INFORMATION DATES* February 28 - March 7, 2010 LOCATION Pennsylvania Convention Center 12,fi & Arch streets Philadelphia, PA THEMg^yS? Passport to the World INFORMATIOIlFg^v 215-988-8899 (recorded information) theflowershow.com HOURS Sundays, February 28 & March 7, 8 am to 6 pm Monday - Friday, March 1 - 5, 10 am to 9:30 pm Saturday, March 6, 8 am to 9:30 pm ADMISSION ADULTS Advance Tickets (good any one day): Group (25+): $22 Individual: $23* Tickets at the Door/General Admission: Opening Day, Sunday, February 28: $28 Monday - Friday, March 1 - 5: $24 Saturday & Sunday. March 6 & 7: $26 STUDENTS & CHILDREN Same price all days whether purchased in advance or at the door Students (ages 17 - 24): $18** Children (ages 2-16): $13 *Sales Outlets: Individual adult and child tickets are available at theflowershow.com or at participating PNC Bank branches, AAA Mid-Atlantic, ACME Markets, Giant Food Stores, SEPTA ticket sales out- lets, local garden centers, nurseries, and florists. Check availability with individual outlets: service charges may apply. **Student tickets are available at theflowershow.com and at the Flower Show Box Office. You must present valid student ID and proof of age to receive student discount. FAMILY FUN PAK SAVE $7 to $17 off individually priced tickets. Special price for 2 adults and 2 children (under 16): $65. Includes BONUS free PHS membership with great gardening activities all year. Available at the Box Office or online at theflowershow.com. • ' ' ' YOUR OWN VILLA IN TUSCANY Weekly rental for up to ten people includes housekeeping and superb home cooking of regional foods. An easy walk to the town of Montisi, the villa property and olive grove is less than an hour from Siena, Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino and other Tuscan hill towns. Hiking, relaxing by the infinity pool, and day tripping begin at your front door. See www.poderecollelungo.com or call 610-633-9446. STONEYBANK NURSERIES PRESENTS “New Zealand’s Gardens of Ora-Bog-and Kiwi” at the 2010 Philadelphia Flower Show Our award winning designers are transforming landscapes. ..creating native, contemporary and romantic gardens where dreams are realized through horticultural craftsmanship and innovative desigi 6 1 Stoney Bank Road | Glen Mills, PA 1 9342 | />/z 610-459-5 100 6 1 0-459-5974 Residential Landscape Master Planning Installation Irrigation Design GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 19 B&101 CONTINUE A GREAT TRADITION7 AT THE WALNUT! MAY 18 - JULY 18 FOR TICKETS VISIT: WalnutStreetTheatre.org ticketmaster OR CALL 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787 @ WALNUT STREET THEATRE FOUNDED 1809 AMERICA'S OLDEST THEATRE - PHILADELPHIA'S MOST POPULAR THEATRE COMPANY Perfect Time... Perfect Place... Perfect Plan. Find it at The Hill at Whitemarsh, one of Delaware Valley’s newest life care communities, where you can easily enjoy the energy and culture of the city, yet escape to country living in a beautiful community setting. Residents here are passionate about Philadelphia, thrive on an active social life and maintain an independent and stimulating lifestyle. Our spacious residences feature a wealth of services and amenities and assure you a lifetime of maintenance free, comfortable living with a secure future. For a personal appointment and tour of our community, please call us today at 215-402-8500 or 1-800-315-4103. Where You Want to Be 4000 Fox Flound Drive, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 www.thehillatwhitemarsh.org nmRrjlVY e Hill at HITEMARSH 20 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 ArtGlassGifts . com Flower show BooGi^#s Kiln Fired Art Glass, Glass Mosaics, Framed Invitations with real Pressed Flowers, Holiday and Seasonal Art Glass, Personalized Art Glass gifts and more! Folio Art Glass 732-431-0044 Beautify your landscape with Timeless design and Uncompromising craftsmanship reminiscent of another era. Our original products are fully Assembled, finished, and shipped from our Pennsylvania workshop To 48 States. PEPPER POT I AKM ca. 17*3 www.gardensheds.com Handcrafted Buiklings a* LAMBERTVILLE, NJ View our entire collection of Gardensheds, Greenhouses, Screen Houses, Pool Houses, Pavilions, Follies, Entry Gates, Estate Planters, Bird Houses and Dog Houses. www.Gardensheds.com Toll-FREE: 877-SHEDS-l 1 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 21 TRANSCENDEN When Rob Cardillo and I began research- ing our book, A Guide to the Great Gardens of the Phildelphia Region, in 2006, we thought we already knew everything we want- ed to include. Of course, we quickly learned that in spite of our combined half-century of visiting gardens in the region, we did not, indeed, know it all. One of our most surprising discoveries was the series of gardens around Bryn Athyn Cathedral, the spiritual center of the New Church, a Christian religion based on the teachings of Swedish scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg. Both of us were familiar with the monumental building, an architectural landmark in the borough of Bryn Athyn, PA, but we were surprised to find it surrounded by beautifully designed gardens bursting with color and meaning. One reason we had never heard of these gardens is that they are relatively new. Only after Danielle Odhner, a Bryn Athyn garden designer and a church member, began volunteering on the 15-acre Cathedral grounds in 1991, did there begin to be any horticulture worth noticing at all. In prior years, says Odhner, the pride of the grounds was a vast lawn composed of bentgrass, the same turf used on golf course putting greens. Keeping this grass putting-green short and vibrant green required three mowings a week and extensive applications of fer- tilizers and pesticides, at a cost of thousands of dollars a month. Odhner became the Cathedral’s head gardener in 1997, and while there is still plenty of grass on the 1 5-acre grounds, it’s no longer high maintenance. And over time, she and her talented crews have replaced grass with garden beds that get more beautiful and refined with each passing year. While the architecture and ornamentation of the building, with its 150-foot tower and dramatic hilltop setting, provide a backdrop that most garden designers can only dream of, for Odhner the gardens are more than a way to showcase her considerable horticultural skills. Glenn Miller, in a 1971 book, Bryn Athyn Cathedral: Making of a New Church, explained the sim- ple goal of that decades-long construction project: “To build worthily for the worship of the Lord.” In a similar vein, Odhner’s work to transform the grounds around the Cathedral could be considered “gardening worthily for the worship of the Lord.” “The Cathedral incorporates specific spiritual sym- bolism," Odhner says, “and the gardens are designed after that model. It seemed the only way to do it, to tie the grounds to the building. The indoors and outdoors now work together; they’re like brother and sister.” (For any visitor, the inside of the Cathedral is as beautiful as the gardens outside, and a tour of the building will help explain the symbolism of the landscape.) Where once was only lawn, five distinct garden areas now ring the Cathedral and a terrace below it, flowing together so seamlessly that it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Color combinations in the different gardens represent various teachings of the Church. The East Border, planted in “fiery” colors such as red, yellow, and orange, represents a story from the Book ol Revelations about a woman clothed with the sun. The south-facing Children’s Garden, with pastel colors that are a testament to innocence and natural goodness, has become a popular site for baptisms. In the nearby Marriage Love Garden, purple-hued flowers pre- dominate, representing the combination of red and blue in mutual love. The Northern Shade Garden is the most extensive and beautiful, with large trees and shrubs shading a miniature woodland carpeted with perennials and bulbs. Here the predominant colors are shades of green, which represents “truth obscured” in the Church’s teachings. It is no coincidence that the doorway to “truth revealed” — the Church itself — is opposite this garden. An active group of volunteers meets on Friday morn- ings during the gardening season to help Odhner and her staff. This activity is the envy of other nearby churches, several of which have asked for advice in setting up volunteer grounds crews of their own. Odhner freely tells them her secret. “I work them for an hour, then make them stop — and then feed them,” she says. “And in my case, I send them home with extra plants.” Depending on the weather, she might have from five to 20 people on any Friday morning, most from within the Bryn Athyn community but some garden lovers from outside as well. With support of the Cathedral staff, Odhner is now poised to expand her gardening efforts to other build- ings that comprise the Bryn Athyn Historic District. In addition, she runs an annual ten-week beekeeping course that is always sold out, and hopes to offer other Reds, blues, and purples combine symbolically in the Marriage Love Garden. 22 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 BEAUTY The Gardens at Bryn Athyn Cathedral Bryn Athyn Cathedral courses in the future. Honey from the beehives; eggs from her flock of free-range chickens; and fresh herbs, cut flowers, and extra plants from the gardens are sold at the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop, raising money for the Cathedral and raising awareness of her activities. Other plans include the creation of a small educational organic farm growing heirloom vegetables to help feed the many students in the community, including those of Bryn Athyn College. “If I had said 10 years ago, I want to create an educational farm for people who want to learn about agriculture from the soil up, I would have been told, 'That has nothing to do with the Church, Ohdner says. “But now, all of a sudden, green is the thing, every- one’s worrying about carbon footprints, and there’s a whole shift in thinking and educa- tion.” “My life lesson,” she adds, “is that some- one has to start it. A lot of people will go to their boss or to a Board and say, ‘You ought to be doing this or that.’ But someone has to do the pilot program; someone has to show them that it works. That’s my gift — making nests, setting up situations where things can happen.” Garden lovers have much to look forward to as Odhner expands her horticultural and agricultural activities in Bryn Athyn. As with many people who nurture the earth, she knows that the beauty of a garden is only on the surface, only the beginning. The act of gardening brings us out of ourselves, makes us care about the larger world, even if only our own small corner of it. Gardening feeds our souls, whatever our conception of that soul may be. By putting us in a spirit of giving and grace, it makes us better people, and the world a better place. Bryn Athyn Cathedral Gardens, 900 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, PA, 215-947-0266, brynathyncathedral.org. PROUD TO SUPPORT The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show. are just around the corner. ACME 24 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 ' J As a PHS member, you may be eligible to save $1,300 to $3,300 off the MSRR* plus current incentives on any new Subaru purchase or lease, including the 2010 Forester. Another reason to love the VIP Partners Program. Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru. 1.. >. ill iiMnil.. . 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AT BRYN MAWR A CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 27 The FRUITS of Winter In the gray winter landscape, when we all could use a little color, many hardy woody plants bear attractive, persistent fruits in shades of red, yellow, or orange. These winter wonders not only feed wildlife and decorate indoor holiday displays, but the very sight of their round, waxy berries has the remarkable ability to cheer our souls. When designing a new garden or landscape planting, take note of this cold-season palette. For starters, what would winter be with- out the hallmark red berries ot holly (7/ex)? But other fruiting plants offer stunning color, too, through russet red hips, indigo berries, and violet-fruited clusters. The vibrant pomes, hips, and berries of firethom, winter- green, red chokeberry, and viburnum make the winter landscape come alive. Some of the best trees for winter color are hawthorns, such as Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’, a PHS Gold Medal Plant Award winner. The heavy-fruiting, brilliant red chokeber- ry ( Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’) produces pendulous clusters of ruby-hued fruits that ripen in fall and persist until the birds find them, usually by mid-winter. Fiery red foliage in autumn adds to the show, but these plants lose no charm after the leaves have fallen. Most people think of beautyberries as summer fruits, but some cultivars have unusually persistent berries, such as Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Early Amethyst’. Its clusters of glossy, glowing violet berries look even more striking against a backdrop ol evergreen foliage. For a cooler look, consider the blue-green foliage of Juniperus scopulomm ‘Wichita Blue'. Big color comes in small packages, too. The fragrant American wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens ) comes to mind. Coveted for outdoor holiday containers, its rose-red berries remain colorful for a long time against deep green leaves. Native to North America, Winterberry {Ilex verticillata ) and its hybrids arguably top the list of the berried beauties. A deciduous holly, winterberry’s bright berries shine against bare, gray-brown branches unob- structed by foliage. New cultivars with improved color and berry production regu- larly appear in nurseries. Two classic culti- vars, ‘Winter Red’ and Winter Gold’ (both PHS Gold Medal plants), look superb together, but be sure to include a male polli- GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 29 Gaultheria procumbens See our major exhibit and stop hu oaj booth at the Philadelphia %temationt d lower Show 7-ebruaiy zSth ~ 'March ‘ nator like ‘Jim Dandy.’ The closely related Chinese winterberry relative, Ilex serrata, has a rare, garden-worthy cultivar called ‘Gempei’, which boasts pale yellow berries striped with red. Dense clusters of orange-red, orange, or gold fruits decorate the stems of firethorn (. Pyracantha sp.). Most garden centers carry tall, prolific, orange-fruited cultivars like the hybrid ‘Mohave’ and P. coccinea ‘Lalandei’. Selections like ‘Soleil D’Or’, with its golden orange pomes, are harder to find, but no www.fishinthegarden.com 207.797.2988 Falmouth, ME Please visit us at the Philadelphia International Flower Show Booth #414 30 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 more colorful and exciting. Lots of roses have showy hips that last well into winter, but the massive red hips of Rosa rugosa stand out due to their size and complementary — but wickedly thorny — stems. As they age, the hips darken and lose luster, but still offer captivating color and texture. The list of beautiful viburnums with love- ly winter berries is a long one. Berry clusters of all shapes and sizes sport fruits in pleasing warm or cool shades. The eastern North American possumhaw ( Viburnum nudum) has large clusters of small oval berries that are pink in late summer and mature to Concord- grape blue-black. The compact cultivar, ‘Bulk’ (Brandywine'"), puts on an impressive winter berry display with equally impressive purplish-red fall color. The spectacular Wright’s viburnum ( Viburnum wrightii) produces broad clusters of small, candy-apple-red berries that light up the dreariest winter days, as do the deep red berries of Viburnum dilatatum. For a showy golden-berried form, choose Plant Ahead... Long-range brainwork and elegant spade-work display the full value of your property year after year. Landscape Design Group achieves distinctive land- scape architecture that continues to improve and enhance your property with a minimum of upkeep. You'll enjoy a custom design, quality execution, and on-time completion well within your budget. To review our residential portfolio and discuss your ideas, please call Michael or Frank Montemuro at 215-340-7890. We dig for elegance LANDSCAPE DESIGN GROUP, INC Landscape Architecture and Construction Doylestown, PA • 215-340-7890 www.landscapedesigngroupinc.com 64™ ANNUAL GARDEN SYMPOSIUM Timeless Lessons from Historic Gardens April II and 12, 2010 Whether you’re interested in designing a formal garden, growing heirloom plants, or making a garden structure, there are many lessons to be learned from historic gardens. Discover design concepts, gardening techniques, and plant selections for use in your own garden creation. Scheduled speakers include renowned author and garden photographer Ken Druse. G. Michael Shoup. owner. The Antique Rose Emporium, and John Forti, curator of historic plants, Strawbery Banke Museum. Mark your calendar for April II and 12, 2010. and visit us online to learn more about this exciting event. For more information: i-8oo--6o3'0948 history.org/conted dchapman@cwf.org 1 2009 The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Cosponsored by Wl AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL sparry 12 09-6372088 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 31 Creating Great Lawns and Gardens for over 80 Years "This sustainable product has been helping gardeners and professionals since 1926. The organic nitrogen fertilizer can be used on all your landscape plants. . . one product for all your gardening needs. This amazing material improves drainage in heavy soils and increases the water holding ability in sandy soils. The high iron content greens up the landscape and the phosphorus is non-leaching. It's "goof-proof" and has given me great results naturally." See you at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Melinda Myers, Horticulture Expert Nationally known author, radio & television host www.milorganite.com The Fruits of Winter ‘Michael Dodge’. Like everything in nature, the vivid colors of winter fruit have a purpose. Eye-catching hues attract wildlife and ensure that seeds spread tar and wide. Birds tlock to bold colors, particularly red (think Snow White and that tempting apple). The tastiest fruits disappear by early winter, so those that persist deep into the season tend to be the least favored by animals. Many berries actually ferment on the stem; their flavor and desir- ability changes as the season progresses. Birds can actually get drunk by eating late-season berries, often to their detriment. Keep an eye out for weaving waxwings or comical cardinals. So this year, instead of just waiting for spring, drink in the fruits of winter. Take time to visit outstanding winter gardens in your area to get ideas for next year’s land- scape. Gardening for winter offers just as many rewards as the warmer seasons — and for some of us, perhaps even more. Visit Jessie's gardening website at jessiekeith.com. f \ Shreiner Tree Care Specialists 610-265-6004 Are Your Trees Safe? Testing for decay in a tulip poplar. • Trees close to your home require particular attention - safety pruning and regular examination for health and structural integrity. • With this new testing method, our arborists can confirm a potential hazard, which will reduce the unnecessary removal of trees that otherwise could be saved. Schedule your free tree testing today. www.shreinertreecare.com v J The Philadelphia Antiques Show April 17 -20, 2010 Preview Party - April 16 THE NAVY YARD 51 00 South Broad Street I Philadelphia, PA Show opens daily at 1 1 a.m. www.PhilaAntiques.com Little First-Timers Enter the Flower Show's "Miniature Settings" Class Story by Daniel Moise Photography by Pete Prown 34 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 "The key to a successful miniature setting is scale.” How is it that the smallest exhibits at the Philadelphia Flower Show often attract the largest crowds? Each year the miniature settings — shoebox-size dioramas using teeny-tiny live plants — are a crowd favorite, eliciting oohs and aahs from all who stop to peer into the detailed depic- tions of little worlds. At last year’s Show, themed around Italy, first-timer Nancy Terramin and neighbor Marge Ferbman collaborated to create a Sicilian kitchen scene, complete with mar- ble-topped counters, tiled floors, and sun- flower-yellow stucco walls. Marge focused on acquiring and arranging the furniture pieces, leaving Nancy to carefully cultivate the plants. In the kitchen window of her Upper Providence, Pennsylvania, home, Nancy set up metal shelves to house all the plants. “Everyone lives together,” she says, describing the vast collection that included thyme, chives, oxalis, and sweet alyssum. Caring for them required patience and dexterity: seeds were properly positioned in the tablespoon-or-so of soil and watered with a syringe the size of an eye-dropper. “I find that when working with plants, two hours can go by in a heartbeat,” Nancy says. “And I’ve come to accept that every once in a while you kill something. It keeps you humble.” Those that survived the season were placed in clay pots she’s amassed from Philadelphia Miniaturia, a showcase of tiny treasures headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. The “precious little things,” as Nancy calls them, come in The Miniatures a variety of colors, shapes, and — to an extent — sizes, and are dead ringers for their standard-size inspirations. The next step was situating the delicate potted plants within the scene she and Marge devised. “The key to a successful miniature setting is scale,” Nancy says. “A hanging basket, for instance, must be in proportion to its surroundings.' Another tip is to have backup plants at the ready; after all, “It’s good to have options.” At the Flower Show, up until the Experience America’s First Botanic Garden National Historic Landmark 20 minutes from Center City Philadelphia II [H BARTRAM’S GARDEN t728 Notional Historic Landmark House and Carden Call now for 2010 Group Tour reservations! Mention this ad for a 10% discount! 54th St. & Lindbergh Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19143 (215) 729-5281 ext. 112 www.bartramsgarden.org 36 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 What will you do in yours?... “Visit our booth at the Philadelphia Flower Show ” Decades of Heritage & Tradition Married with Technology & A Simple Elegance Inspired by our Rugged Irish Countryside... The Dubarry Country Collection ■ GORE-TEX lined Waterproof Breathable Lightweight DryFast-DrySoft1 Dubarry USA 106 West Christine Rd, Nottingham, PA 19362 1-866-658-3569 dubarru® of Ireland www.dubarry.us Save 50% by becoming a customer by May 3 1 , 20 1 0 Certain conditions apply. Call for details Outsmart hungry deer.™ 800-GOT-DEER www.DeerTechUSA.com GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 37 Rock of C; from$i,oz3 lynotttours.com For more great vacation offers, visit discoverireland.com Grt> duesrt, Ireland iajccs Lynott Tours: Price per person based on two sharing Subject to availability. Prices subject to airtax froffttHfe Cliffs of Mofier Relive a medieval banquet at Bunratty Explore the Lakes of Killarney Browse Cork s English Market Ireland - great value vacation offers, there’s never been a better time! Bed and Breakfast Garden Vacation. Explore Ireland with LYNOTT TOURS. Includes round trip airfare, automatic car hire and accommodation More Time - More Choices - More Friends Setting Standards of Excellence in Retirement Living Since 1 967 a, Foulkeways at Gwynedd, community members look forward to exploring new horizons and re-establishing past interests and hobbies. There's always something close at hand to inspire both mind AND body! So, what are you doing with the second half of YOUR life? For more information about life at Foulkeways Continuing Care Retirement Community, call Lori Schmidt at 215-283-7010 in the Residency Information Office today. t =3 panph^a . AGING FRIENDS SERVICES:::? aahsa Guided by Quaker Values of Financial Security 1120 Meetinghouse Road, Gwynedd, PA 19436 215-643-2200 .www.foulkeways.org Foulkeways' at Gwynedd does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or sexual orientation. 38 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 The Miniatures moment the judges arrived, Nancy and Marge made tiny tweaks to their presenta- tion, rotating and shifting items by centimeters. The finished product was a stunner. In many ways, the kitchen was inspired by that of Nancy’s now 92-year- old mother, a transplant from Sicily. Says Nancy, “Exhibitors are asked to write a 50- word description of their display. It was easy for me to describe the joy of cooking and how the kitchen is truly the heart and hearth of an Italian family.” The judges awarded the team an honor- able mention, which delighted Nancy. “1 had reasonable expectations, what with it being my first time attempting minia- tures,” she says. “And the Philadelphia International Flower Show is different from other events in which every partici- pant is recognized — so it means something when you win a ribbon.” Not that Nancy’s content to leave it at that. For 2010, she started two weeks sooner, allowing the plants more time to “come into their own.” She also grew a wider variety and greater number of plants to ensure near-endless options. “My sister tells me 1 have too many plants," Nancy confesses, “and while I know she’s right, I can’t seem to stop myself!” Bring the beauty of bulbs to your gardens from our vast collection of the best Dutch flower bulbs and herbaceous peonies at the best prices. Select a color palette and create natural, harmonious gardens with intermingled flower bulbs. Rather than letting your lawn limp into the woods, plant a stunning display of Trumpet Daffodil Bravoure over a thick ribbon of electric Muscari latifolium. Contact Van Engelen for our 52-page wholesale flower bulb price list or John Scheepers for our colorful 88-page Beauty from Bulbs catalog. Contact Kitchen Garden Seeds for our 60-page catalog with over 500 gourmet vegetable, herb and flower seeds. It has a wealth of practical gardening tips from Barbara Damrosch and wonderful recipes from renowned U.S. chefs. Happy Spring! John Scheepers V&Vt Cvtgcloi Kitchen Garden Seeds"' Phone: (860) 567-0838 Phone: (860) 567-8734 Phone: (860) 567-6086 www.johnscheepers.com www.vanengelen.com www.kitchengardenseeds.com Serving America ’s finest gardens for over 1 00 years! PAio Tree;& Landscape Services Unprecedented Experience Personal Service Exceptional Qualify b ti; J . * > f It's the McFarland Way! mg** Call today to schedule a free professional consultation to review your property, 2 15-844-TREE (8733) • 610-688-6644 • Fax:215-438-1879 www.mcfarlandtree.com GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 39 Greening Basics Lawns for Public Spaces By Jane Carroll & Daniel Moise Open green lawns are one of the most inviting features of a well- managed park or public space. But like all living plants, grass requires regu- lar observation and maintenance. Use the following tips for proper lawn installation and maintenance, both of which will help your public space look beautiful for years to come. But keeping grass looking its best involves more than just mowing. Heavily used turf needs occasional fertilization, reseeding, and aeration. Let’s learn more. Seed Selection & Sowing Think about how people will use the site, and select the best variety of turf grass for those conditions. Many types, such as fescues, stand up much better to heavy foot traffic than the more widely used Kentucky blue grass. Online sources can help you make a selection. When starting a new lawn from scratch, loosen the soil and clear away roots, weeds, and large rocks before planting. Spread a layer of compost if possible, though some- times that isn’t feasible for a large project. Fall is the best time to plant grass, as seed won’t germinate in warmer temperatures. Be sure to plant a couple of weeks before a hard frost to give the grass time to establish roots. Sow seed methodically with a hand-pushed seed spreader in a linear pattern to avoid bare spots. To help the seed germinate, apply a 40 GREEN SCENE • march/opril 2010 layer of fertilizer on top (preferably a “slow release” organic fertilizer). Finally, water the seed regularly until it sprouts. Continue regular watering until the grass develops a sturdy root system. Mowing In most cases, your city or town performs regular mowing. Communicate with those who perform the mowing and express your wishes in a friendly way. Keep grass at a height of 3 to 3-1/2 inches and remove no more than one-third of the grass blade’s height at one time, since the shade of taller grass discourages weed growth. Leave grass clippings on the ground to decompose, supplying nitrogen to the turf. If a portion of your site serves as a playing field, keep the grass there shorter than that of “passive-use” spaces. This is especially true of sports that involve a rolling ball, like soccer. Compost If possible, top-dress the lawn with com- post about once each year (apply a sprinkling of compost and rake it evenly over the grass) and add more grass seed. This helps fill in empty spots, discourages weed growth, and nourishes the roots. Aeration Yearly aeration of the turf improves the lawn over time by encouraging a healthy root system. Aeration means poking small holes in the soil to allow air circulation. Mechanical tools are available to make this job easier. A "Green" Lawn Maintaining a healthy lawn does not have to involve the use of harmful chemical fertilizers and herbicides, which ultimately end up in rivers and streams. The increasing availability of organic alternatives makes it easier to avoid harmful substances. Learn about sustainable turf care and work with the city (or landowner) to encourage better lawn- care practices. For detailed information on sustainable lawn-care, including recommended varieties of grass, visit sustland.umn.edu/maint/maint.htm or safelawns.org. Imagine a lifestyle better than the one you have nc Its waiting for you here at Waverly Heights. Waverly Heights is a lifecare community that promises an enriching lifestyle for you, a senior with discriminating taste. Manicured gardens and rolling hills create a picturesque environment. Convenience to nearby metropolitan cities lends easy access to cultural and entertaining excursions. A seamless continuum of care affords efficient management of health issues. And the WAVERLY 1400 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035-1296 Tel: 610.645.8764 Fax: 610.645.861 1 www.waverlyheightsltd.org A nonprofit, non-sectarian lifecare community osTim.ii Retirement Living at Waverly Heights Call us at 610-645-8764 for your free DVD Protect the beauty of your property with o o Deer Fencing Systems Benner's Gardens -since 1992- 1-800-BIG-DEER BennersGardens.com GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 41 Your garden is V'i your sanctuary... come to Mostardi's for distinctive plants, expertise q and inspiration GREEN GIANT Alternative Leyland Cypress Sc New England's Dying Hemlocks www.BOTANYSHOP.com M* New USDA Release • Pennsylvania Gold Medal • Tough, Fragrant, Tall, Skinny Evergreen • Deer, Bagworm & Disease Resistant • Fast Growing 3’ to 5' /Year Thuja X Green Giant' • Zones 5-9 Plant all Summer. Potted, Thornless Blackberries and Raspberries. New Polka Raspberry *High Yield * Everbearing www. knockoutroses. com Now Introducing Disease Resistant American Elms ft Jefferson American Elm Botany Shop Garden Center Joplin, MO (888) 855-3300 Call for information and shipping arrangements. \VS / v c • • ' MEDFORD LEAS A nationally accredited, Quaker-related, not-for-profit community for those age 55 + , with campuses in Medford and Lumberton, NJ. Member, Greater Philadelphia Gardens WWW.MEDFORDLEAS.ORG OR 800.331.4302 THE LEWIS W. BARTON ARBORETUM & NATURE PRESERVE AT MEDFORD LEAS Annual Arboretum Lecture BRINGING NATURE HOME DOUGLAS W. TALLAMY Professor and Chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2010, 11:00 AM The plant materials gardeners choose have a profound impact on the diversity of life in our yards, our towns, and on our planet. Learn how we can welcome more wildlife into our gardens as Douglas Tallamy, acknowledged leader in the field of native plants, shares his knowledge and enthusiasm for this exciting approach to gardening. Lecture followed by light luncheon fare and guided Arboretum tours. No Charge. Call 609-654-5527 to RSVP. 42 GREEN SCENE • morch/april 2010 ARBORS ARCHWAYS TOWERS PAVILIONS Thcj Painted Garden^. Inc. (215) 884-7378 WWW.THEPAINTEDGARDENINC.COM 304 EDGE HILL ROAD, GLENSIDE, PA 19038 SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT RAILS Planting the Future of PHS Legacy Landscapes is a $12.1 million campaign to establish an endowment fund to support the horticultural maintenence of civic and neighborhood landscape projects of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. For more information please contact the PHS Development Office at 215-988-8800 or visit www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society THE WALTERS ART MUSEUM Baltimore, MD | www.thewalters.org ART BLOOMS hTTHE WALTERS PRESENTED BY THE UJOMEH COMMITTEE OF THE UJHLTERS APRIL THROUGH 201 Stunning floral interpretations of the exhibition Japanese Cloisonne Enamel from the Stephen W. Fisher Collection. For preview party, lectures, floral demonstrations: 410-547-9000, ext. 305 or www.wamwc.org GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 43 Classified Ads GARDEN STRUCTURES GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Custom Aluminum or Wood 35 Years’ Experience Call Robert J. LaRouche at Glass Enclosures Unlimited 610-687-2444 GREEN TECHNOLOGIES Rainwater Harvesting Systems Capture • Filter • Reuse Please visit our website to learn more www.YourPond.com Cedar Run Landscapes 1 -800-Landscape HARDSCAPING 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 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 BURKE BROTHERS LANDSCAPE DESIGN/BUILD Nationally-recognized designs. Experienced staff ensures the integrity of the design from concept to completion. burkebrothers.com 215-887-1773 610-520-2025 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 www.davidbrothers.com Eco Design and Management Designs, Installs, Restores and Maintains Ecological, Artistic Landscapes 610-659-6737 866-496-9882 www.ecodesignmanage.com LINDA CORSON LANDSCAPE DESIGN •Consulting •Plans •Supervision Registered Landscape Architect Member ASLA 215-247-5619 MULCH BALED PINE NEEDLE MULCH Pick up/Delivery/Spreading service Cedar Run Landscapes Call for brochure 1 -800-LANDSCAPE www.CedarRunLandscapes.com FLOWERS AND MORE, INC. Garden Design, Installation & Maintenance PINE-NEEDLE MULCH Wholesale and Retail 610-701 -9283 renee52@comcast. net NURSERIES 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 Perennials Are Our Specialty! POPES’ GARDENS Pansies • Easter Flowers Spring Dish Gardens Annuals • Hanging Baskets Shrubs & Trees • Classes • Display Gardens Farm Animals 1146 Old White Horse Pike, Waterford, NJ (856) 767-3343 www.popesgardens.com Catalog your wnchid common today! ' For each plant you have you can track: - Extensive Details - Digital Photo Album - Blooming History - Journal Entries - Repotting History' ||- Cultural Notes __ - Medical HiHory - Book Index - Polhnatiofijpstoi^ jg - much, much mod F Produce to shows and slfljSfpF Track your Wislfl^Mnd EfVorite Websites toof’’ Visit www.cattleyaIog.com to try it or to buy it Systeme Software 215-258-5217 Visa MasterCard Arnex or use your PayPal Online Download: CD-ROM: $49.95 $59.95 Cattleya-Log is the best software available for tracking an orchid collection of any size. G Try it out for FREE! 120 PAGE CATALOG- $3 WE SHIP ALL YEAR LONG 957 Patterson Rd. Jackson, NJ 08527 732-833-0613 ORDER ONLINE AT rareFINDnursery. Unusual Hardy Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Shrubs, Trees & Perennials. Come visit our 11 acre nursery including our4acre display garden. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10-4 (directions on web site) www.rarefindnursery.com 44 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 Triple Oaks Nursery & Herb Garden • Great Plants • Display Gardens • Programs • Franklinville, New Jersey www.tripleoaks.com 856-694-4272 greatplants@tripleoaks.com PICTURE FRAMING Frames and Company We’ve been framing for 37 years and can make any artwork blossom! Our design/framers and archival materials will guarantee a perennial favorite. Our photo frames will put your friends in the best light, and we have miners to reflect your good taste. 10% off for PHS members. 3723 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square Under the Green & White Awning 610.356.8122 www. framesandcompany. com REAL ESTATE Private Gardens For Sale 6.5 Acres Former Nursery, Preserved Farmland Adjacent Crape Myrtles line long drive Cedar salt box, 2 car loft garage Mature box, hollies, cryptomeria Greenwich, NJ 856-455-7368 www.whitehorsevillage.org A retirement community located on 96 acres of gardens, meadows and woodlands adjacent to a state park, White Horse Village is truly paradise for nature lovers. We invite you to visit and stroll through our splendid gardens where residents have tagged and identified over 2500 species of trees and plantings! 535 Gradyville Rd in Edgmont Township. (610)558-5000 GARDENER'S DELIGHT 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths split level, apx. 1/2 acre Phoenixville Pa., established perennial borders, raspbeny patch, nice fish pond, large swimming pool, patio. Specialty tree specimens. Available late April Prudential, Fox & Roach Realtors Contact Susan Parr, Broker 484 875 3564 TOOLS SPEND MORE TIME GARDENING LESS TIME COMPOSTING Compost faster and easier with long-lasting reusable compost bags. www.compostcomfort.com TREES Indian Orchards Beautiful Large American Hollies Delicious Berries and Tree Fruit in Season 24 Copes Lane, Media 610-565-8387 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 See our NEW styles! c V n FOXGLOVES foxglovesga^flengloves.com 888 . 32 2 . 44 50 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 45 The Backyard Picturesque Plantings on City Avenue By Jane Carroll and Daniel Moise Lovely new plantings now adorn a busy road marking the border between Philadelphia and Montgomery County, thanks to PHS’s Philadelphia Green program. The northern gateway to City Avenue — at the intersection of Presidential Blvd. — now features striking flower beds that nicely set off the intersection’s pedestrian bridge. The City Avenue Special Services District contacted PHS about the project in early 2009. The Special Services District, which works to keep the City Avenue corridor clean and safe, had a vision for an enhanced landscape that would complement the attractive southern gateway at 63rd Street, which PHS staff designed in 2006. “Working with Philadelphia Green to design the plantings on Presidential Blvd. at City Avenue was ideal,” says Terrence Foley, president and CEO of the City Avenue Special Services District. “This project helps us achieve our goal of making the area more attractive to entice people to shop here, work here, and dine here.” Several factors came into play at the start of the project. First, PHS landscape architects Linda Walczak and Marcus Johnson consulted with a specialist to find solutions to the persistent weed problem that had made the site an eyesore in the past. After a summer spent reclaiming the growing space, they began to select plants for the gateway. “Because so many people travel along City Avenue every day, we wanted plants with great eye-appeal, but they had to be tough enough to thrive under the challenging conditions of the site,” says Walczak. “Road salt, for instance, can be extremely damaging to plants.” In tall 2009, the team oversaw the installation of a mix of native perennials (yarrow), shrubs (winterberry holly), and ornamental grasses (little bluestem), as well as bulbs and new turf. The design mimics the arc of the footbridge that spans overhead and was also inspired by the signature City Avenue logo. When the bulbs bloom this spring, look for a brilliant display of daffodils and daylilies. Over time the shrubs and grasses will fill out to make the beds complete — a far cry from the weeds that were there a year prior. “It’s a great partnership since our areas of expertise dovetail so nicely,” says Philadelphia Green director Nancy O'Donnell. “We bring our landscape design and implementation skills to the corridor, and the Special Services District can focus on its mission." 46 GREEN SCENE • march/april 2010 From The Garden, To The Lawn/^^ And Any Green In Between... Tk The Makers of Trusted Mantis Products are y Bringing Quality Equipment To Transform K and Maintain Your Landscape! mm i ^ ' ■> Sod Cutter Matins Gardening Equipment Aerator LITTLE WONDER Zero-Turn Riding Mower Walk-Behind Blower ^ IS BRINGING SOME OF THEIR BESTBUDS TO THE PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SHOW! Mowers Turf Care LITTLE WONDER' Landscaping Turf Renovation SEE ALL OF THIS, AND MORE AT MARKET PLACE BOOTHS 508, 510 AND 512 www.schillergc.com ©2010 Schiller Grounds Care, Inc. n. ii ir !! 1 I ©PMC WEALTH MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY To put your trust in someone else’s hands is to have complete confidence in them. We earn this trust by providing clients with an experienced team that will listen, understand and then develop a customized plan to achieve their goals. When it comes to helping guide our clients in building their future, we look for solutions that will benefit them in the long run. Our long-term perspective has made us one of the best-performing large banks in America today and it is also the same perspective we apply to managing our clients’ wealth. To find out how we can help you, call 1-888-762-6226 or visit pnc.com/wealthmanagement. At PNC Wealth Management we’ve been helping secure our clients’ futures for more than 150 years. Let our strength and stability be the basis for yours. wealth matiagement, fiduciary Services, FDIC-insured banking products and services and lending and op-and PNC Bank, Delaware and National City Bank, which are Members FDIC. PNC does not provide legal, lax or accounting advice. Investments: Not F[)IC Insured. No Bank Guarantee, May Lose Value. ©2009 The PNC Financial Services Group. Inc. All rights reserved. As a PHS member, you may be eligible to save $1,300 to $3,300 off the MSRR* plus current incentives on any new Subaru purchase or lease, including the 2010 Forester. Another reason to love the VIP Partners Program. Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru. To learn more, visit http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/membership/VIP.html PHS PLANTING SEEDS. GROWING LIVES. Subaru is pleased to announce that the Forester was recently named a 2010 IIHS Top Safety Pick. •You may be eligible to save $1,300 to $3,300 off the MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) depending on model and accessories, plus any applicable incentives on the purchase or lease of any new Subaru from participating dealers. MSRP does not include tax, title and registration fees. Limited time offer subject to change without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Valid in the U S. only, except Hawaii. Cannot be combined with any other SOA promotional offers, coupons (such as auto show or internet coupons) or direct mail offers (except Subaru Guaranteed Trade- In Program (GTP) or Subaru Reward Dollars). All rights reserved. A dazzling restoration by world-class architects, gardeners, engineers, and craftsman has restored this premiere North American estate to its turn of the century magnificence. A new visitor center, re-landscaped gardens and the spectacular mansion welcome the public. “You Need More Beauty in Your life, Come to Nemours!” Nemours Mansion & Gardens Alapocas Drive and Powder Mill Road (Route 141), Wilmington, DE For reservations call 1-80 0-6 51-6912 or go to www.nemoursmansion.org. Cathedral Village The “Tip of the Iceherg” is ... An opportunity for you to participate in the complete renovation of a Country > apartment, one of our largest and most luxurious style floor plans, with your choice of. . . ♦ Hardwood flooring in the foyer, living room, dining room and kitchen. ♦ A kitchen with all stainless steel appliances. ♦ New kitchen cabinetry and easy-to-maintain granite or Zodiaq® countertops. ♦ Modern amenities in each bathroom and non-slip ceramic or porcelain tile floors. ♦ Wall-to-wall carpet colors in the bedrooms and hallway. ♦ Modern custom lighting as well as complete crown molding and chair rail trim. ♦ Paint colors for walls and trim. Under “The Tip of the Iceherg” is ... ♦ Our most comprehensive healthcare system. ♦ Assisted Living care in the comfort of your own spacious Country apartment, if ever required. ♦ A financially stable and credit-rated community. ♦ An unmatched lifestyle. Your unmatched lifestyle can include swimming in the warmth of our Pool year-round, exercising in the Fitness Center, attending numerous Professional Concerts in Cathedral Hall or having our Security Personnel take you to the Philadelphia Orchestra or theater events. Discover the Village College, Horticultural and Greenhouse programs, the Painting and Pottery Studios and classes, and the many other reasons why Cathedral Village residents find their lifestyle so enjoyable. What you don’t see . . . ♦ Excellence in extensive resident services. There is so much more than meets the eye at Cathedral Village! Cathedral Village 600 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 www.cathedralvillage.com (215) 984-8621 Call or Visit Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Appointments are needed for weekends and holidays. Cathedral Village is a Nonprofit Nondenominational Continuing Care Retirement Community Accredited by CARF-CCAC Since 1984 • Affiliated With the Jefferson Health System Since 1986 Editor Pete Prown Senior Editor Jane Carroll Associate Editor Daniel Moise Staff Photographer Margaret Funderburg Art Design Baxendells' Graphic Printer ALCOM Printing Group, Inc. Website PHSonline.org 100 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 215-988-8800 Chair John K. Ball President Jane G. Pepper Executive Vice President J. Blaine Bonham, Jr. President Elect Drew Becher PHS Membership Information Linda Davis, 215-988-8776 Display & Classified Ads Manzo Media Group 610-527-7047 mmanzo@manzomediagroup. com Garden Q & A Phone Line 215-988-8777 Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 12 I closed in December I askagardenenSpennhort. org GREEN SCENE (USPS 955580), Volume 38, No.3, is published bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a nonprofit 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. © 2010 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society FSC Mixed Sources Product group from well-managed forests and other controlled sources www.fsc.org Cert no. SW-COC-002714 ©1996 Forest Stewardship Council POTTING SHED 8 GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE Christine Thomas takes us on a tour of this striking sculp- ture garden near Trenton, New Jersey. 1 10 PUSHING THE LIMITS Today's push — or "reel"— mowers are easy to use and wonderful for the environment. Learn about this hot new trend in lawn care. FEATURES 11 12 THE GARDENER'S BOOKSHELF New gardening books to get you in the mood for spring. A PAINTERLY GARDEN Conny Parsons is a painter, and that is nowhere more evi- dent than in her garden. In a series of stunning "composi- tions," Conny has created beautiful beds that converge into a unified work of art. 18 HOUSEPLANTS FOR THE OFFICE You'd think that most plants would die in the dry confines of the typical office space, but as George Weigel explains, there are quite a few that thrive in this environment. So put your plants to work jazzing up your office space! 22 IN PRAISE OF OLD ROSES Join Nicole Juday as she teaches us about old-fashioned roses. Tough and relatively disease-free, these vintage charmers still have a place in the modern garden. D Q GROWING VEGGIES IN SMALL SPACES ' w Not all of us have room for a big vegetable garden, so sometimes a container is the best way to go, as llene Sternberg tells us. Indeed, there are many veggies you can grow successfully and easily in pots. COLUMNS 34 GREENING BASICS Getting Young People Involved 38 THE BACKYARD Learn About Trees Online The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. Cover photo: Rob Cardillo Letter from the Editor THINKING NATIVE Have you planted a black cherry lately? According to Dr. Doug Tallamy, perhaps you should. While it’s not a raving beauty, black cherries ( Prunus serotina) attract scores of birds, many of whom savor its tasty fruit. Moreover, it’s a great plant for restoring the native habitat of our region. I recently attended a lecture by Dr. Tallamy, chair of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware. He made a convincing and spellbinding case for using native species in our gardens. We profiled his work in the September-October 2009 issue, but it’s a message worth repeating. Tallamy argues that if gardeners continue using non-native plants, they will further break down the delicate cycle of life between plants, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals that has existed for millennia. On the surface that might not seem to be our problem, but when you realize that this cycle ultimately creates our oxygen and food supply, then we can begin to see how the simple act of provid- ing habitat for bugs, reptiles, and birds becomes a powerful example of thinking globally and acting locally. High on Tallamy’s list of plants we should consider is the mighty oak tree. In terms of its “carrying capacity” — that is, the number of species that rely on a plant to survive — the oak reigns supreme. Oaks provide habitat for more species of caterpillar than any other eastern native tree (caterpillars being a crucial player in nature’s food web). This brings up another misperception: that birds and bugs can feed on any of plant, native or exotic. Actually, says Tallamy, bugs are rather fussy eaters and will only feed on a few specific natives that they’ve acclimated to over the centuries. Take away one particular native plant, and its unique insect feeder disappears. And without the insects, migrating birds have no food and begin disappearing as well. Suddenly, the entire food chain is in crisis and begins to break down ... and all for the want of a nail, or in our case, a native plant. After the lecture, I thought about my own property and began to see my successes and errors. Yes, I did plant a native eastern ninebark ( Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diablo’), but right next to it is a buddleja, which aside from being leggy and hard to manage, can be very invasive. I don’t have much lawn area, which is a good thing, and my main lawn is bordered by wide shrubby borders that help rain absorb slowly into the soil instead of flooding our public sewers. (In most cases, stormwater simply runs off the surface of your lawn onto the street, washing fertilizers and road salt, among other things, into our waterways.) The previous owners of our home installed large masses of non-native periwinkle, English ivy, and pachysandra; they’re pretty, but unfriendly to wildlife. Adding insult to injury, the ivy has grown up into the crowns of many of the large ash trees in our neighborhood. Certainly, we’ve all planted our share of non-natives, thinking only of their ornamental and horticultural virtues. But starting now, thanks to Dr. Tallamy’s lecture, I’m going to consider the environmental impact of anything I put in the ground. Perhaps the most ecologically successful section of my property is the one I’ve had nothing to do with — a wooded section out back that is heavily underplanted with ostrich ferns. This, notes Dr. Tallamy, is a terrific environment for insect, amphibian, and reptile life and, as I’ve discovered over the years, a place to find magnificently rich garden soil lurking just under the leaf cover. Granted, these ferns have to battle someone else’s escaped dwarf bamboo in the woods, but for nearly a decade, they’ve held their own. No doubt these conflicts between natives, exotics, and runaway invasives are prevalent throughout our region. If nothing else, take a look at Dr. Tallamy’s acclaimed book. Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants or the related website, bringingnaturehome.net. From these pages, you’ll gain a wider perspective not only on how plants and creatures are deeply interconnected, but also about what’s going on in your very own garden. And hopefully, you’ll plant a black cherry, oak, or other native plant. The wildlife will be eternally grateful that you did. Petes prow n/ email: greenscene@pennhort.org 6 GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 \ Medford Leas IMAGINE LIVING IN AN ARBORETUM! With garden-style townhomes and apartments. ..easy campus living... beautiful arboretum settings... extraordinary amenities... extensive mind and body "fitness for life” programs. . .Total Home Maintenance . . . on-site continuum of wellness and health care services, and much more... you really can have it all! A nationally accredited, Quaker-related, not-for-profit community for those age 55+, with campuses in Medford and Lumberton, N] HOME OF THE LEWIS W. BARTON ARBORETUM AND NATURE PRESERVE MEMBER, GREATER PHILADELPHIA GARDENS MEMBER, GARDEN STATE GARDENS MEDFORDLEAS.ORG 609.654.3000 or 800.331.4302 4033 West Chester Pike (Rte.3) Newtown Square, PA 19073 610-356-8035 • www.mostardi.com Gold Medal Garden... Start with High Performance Plants from Mostardi! We stock flowers, shrubs and trees that are recom- mended 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 and check out our 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 good as gold! plants * Home # G( GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 7 The Potting Shed ii i % -i u. ■' Ims% m'm jsrsrxVs iniT f«m«w A Visit to New Jersey's Grounds for Sculpture By Christine Thomas The Artistic Arboretum At Grounds for Sculpture, a 35-acre sculpture park and arboretum in Hamilton, New Jersey, large contem- porary sculptures line the entrance drive, and you think, “This place is all about the art, right?” Then you step out of your car, and along the walkway there are waves of turf with undulating metal edging, and you realize that this is also a very different kind of arboretum. Here, plants are no less sculptural than the artworks they enhance. More than 25 species of ornamental grass and bamboo are used as hedges, accents, and herbaceous borders. Pennisetum ‘Karley Rose’, accented by its pink inflorescences in June and July, leads you along a curving path from the Visitor Center to access the park. Leymus, Panicum, and Festuca look like a blue haze planted around a pond filled with lotuses. A bamboo grove becomes part of the sculpture Erotica Tropicallis. Go through the bamboo, past skulking voyeurs, to enjoy Seward Johnson’s metal and Styrofoam rendition of Henri Rousseau’s painting The Dream. It is hard to believe that as recently as 1989, this lush garden was the old dilapidated New Jersey State Fair Grounds. Then it was a flat vacant wasteland with part of an old race track, abandoned exhibition buildings, and “crummy soil,” according to Brian Carey of AC/BC Associates, landscape designer for the park. In less than two decades, the original 17 acres and 12 trees have grown to 35 acres and more than 3,000 trees and shrubs. With the excavation of berms, ponds, and watercourses, the designers sculpted the flat land into a charming contoured setting that obscures the industrial surroundings and becomes a back- drop for sculpture. The transformation happened in part thanks to tree donations and to Carey’s ability to rescue large specimens from construction sites and abandoned nurseries. Six lacebark pines ( Pinus bungeand) were saved from destruction with only a few days’ notice. These three-needled pines with mottled exfo- liating bark are some of the finest examples of the species anywhere. Hundreds of red maples, grown inches apart, were transplanted from the defunct Princeton Nurseries. Carey explains how the trees were "dug in blocks of eight, like sausages,” then spliced back togeth- er to create a narrow allee, creating a tunnel of color in the fall. “The best part is that so far, only one tree has died,” he says. When it comes to handouts, Carey says he will “take anything with interesting or exfoliating bark,” including thorns. An area unofficially known as the “pain garden” con- tains thorned honey locust, castor-aralia (. Kalopanax p ictus) , pyracantha, and trifoliate orange ( Poncirus trifoliata). Throughout the park, look for trees with ornamental bark, such as stewartia, river birch, parrotia, and paperbark maple. Conifers abound with 15 species of pines, as well as deciduous conifers that offer a splen- did palette of spring and fall color. In front of the museum building stands a 50-year-old hinoki false cypress donated by nurseryman Tom Dilatush. Rare fastigiate conifers from Nancy Vermeulen dot the landscape. Not to be missed is a towering golden oriental spruce {Picea orientals Aurea Compacta’). Portals of weeping pines and spruces guide you from a wisteria-covered arbor to the Visitor Center. Do not overlook the water garden. Here Carey shows “water used in as many ways as possible,” including fog that circulates around sculptures and around the sculpture-like leaves of coltsfoot ( Petasites japonicus). A Camperdown elm ( Ulmus glabra ) serves as an umbrella to keep you dry. Nearby, take a walk through the Domestic Arts Building, pass through its indoor exhibits, cafe, and bookshop and go out to the Acer Courtyard, home of 47 rescued Japanese maples. Then relax, have a seat at one of the courtyard tables, and take in the view. Christine Thomas is a landscape designer and owner of Thomas' English Gardens in Yardley, Pennsylvania. You can contact her at gardener@thomasenglishgardens.com. Grounds for Sculpture is located at 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, NJ, 609-586-0616 ( groundsforsculpture. org) . Left: A mixed border welcomes visitors to Rat's Restaurant. Below: Pennisetum 'Karley Rose' with its pink inflorescens, leads you along a curving path from the Visitor Center to access the park. Left: Six lacebark pines ( Pmus bungeana ) with their beautiful mottled exfoliating bark were saved from a local construc- tion site and transplanted to the grounds. The Potting Shed Welcome to the REEL World While youve been noisily powering off the top one-third of your lawn with horizontal rotors, the reel world has been quietly spinning into the future. Companies around the globe have been making Grandpas push mower sharper, easier to use, even — dare I say it— trendy? First there was the novel idea that the push mower’s revolving blades don’t have to actually touch the stationary blade in order to cleanly slice through grass. Brill, NaturCut, and now Fiskars all employ this virtual- ly silent “stay-sharp” concept. And where once there were two wheels you may now see four, including a pair of mini front wheels that can elevate blades 4 inches above the ground. Fiskars has replaced gears with a chain-drive, and added a larger diameter reel, creating a mower that’s easy to push around and won’t get jammed on a twig. Traditionalists can still find sleeker (and much lighter) versions of Grandpas mower, the basic idea for which, by the way, was patented in 1830 and is still, if not cutting edge, a functional version of it. But frankly, the new-fangled models are more fun. Engineers and researchers have been busy improving a technology that’s proved itself as elegant as it is effective. Until recently, most reel By Pamela Ruch V ? •'V - V- T 10 GREEN SCENE • may/june 201 0 The Gardener’s Bookshelf mowers had a maximum cutting height of 2 inches, which was seen as a shortcoming by those of us who had heard that a lawn should never be cut lower than 3 inches (or shouldn’t have more than one third of the blade height removed at one time). We needn’t have worried so much, says Andy Humphrey ol Ecomowers ( ecomowers.com ). A reel mower’s gentle scissoring is better for the grass than cutting with a rotary blade. Ohio State University hacks this up, with their study rating the vigor of a bluegrass lawn reel- mown to a mere 2 inches visibly superior to that of a rotary-mown lawn of the same height. Still, many gardeners will appreci- ate the higher cutting heights of the newer, adjustable-blade reel mowers, especially if, say, you get caught up with growing roses and turning compost and forget that one-third rule. It happens. To transform your cutting mode from a deafening rotary rip to a whispery slice, you will need, according to Humphrey, “a little patience.” The first couple of times you hand-mow, he says, you’ll probably have to cut twice. Consider this double- dose of exercise (400 calories an hour!) your spring training. Then you’ll be ready to join the quiet revolution and experi- ence the freedom to mow ... anytime at all. Take your blades lor a spin at 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning to the music of birdsong, or go for a 20-minute mow in the cool twilight. On second thought, do neither ol these. Instead, trim your turf in broad daylight for a triple shot ol green energy — a healthier green lawn, zero CO, emissions, and the fun of watching your neighbors turn grassy-green with envy. Who knows? You may instigate a reel- life version of whisper down the lane. Visit Pamela Ruch's website at helpinggardenersgrow.com. For more on proper mowing techniques, visit http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/4000/4020.html. Bulb By Anna Pavord (544 pp., $39.99) On the heels of her acclaimed book Tulip , Pavord’s latest is a reference book, but one sprinkled with her trademark witty anecdotes. Ol the holiday amaryllis, she says, “ Hippeastrum bear the big, fat, trumpet-shaped flowers that most of us (wrongly) still call amaryllis. Do not be snooty about them. They are fabulous things and the whole point of them is their ludicrous size and their ability to knock you out from the far side of the room. And as for the medicinal value of irises, Pavord quotes a historical passage noting they can, “... fasten loose teeth ... provoke sleep and bringeth out tears.” And along with interesting facts and trivia, the author offers solid horticultural information and hundreds of excellent color photos. New Encyclopedia of Gardening Techniques American Horticultural Society (480 pp., $45) This practical American Horticultural Society tome is immediately likable, thanks to more than 2,000 color illustra- tions that draw you into the book. There’s a lot of information here that you can find in other horticultural books, but to have it all under one roof and so attractively pre- sented is quite enticing. It will immediate- ly give you ideas for fresh garden projects. Lessons from Linden Hill By Jerry Fritz with Nancy Ondra (108 pp., $19.95) Two local garden experts write about the wonderful plantings at Linden Hill Gardens in Ottsville, Pennsylvania. The buoyantly colorful paperback includes both plant and design ideas, including advice on detering deer and other pests. The book also features outstanding photography, including many shots from Green Scene con- tributors Ondra and Rob Cardillo. Grow Your Own, Eat Your Own By Bob Flowerdew (192 pp., $29.95) For both casual and hardcore vegetable gardeners, Bob Flowerdew’s book offers advice on what to do with your produce once you harvest it. Covering cooking and canning to making jams and jellies, Grow Your Own is more than a cookbook, although it includes many delectable recipes. It will help you live off your garden through- out the year as you learn to preserve more of your crops through various techniques. You’ll truly appreciate these tips from the aptly named Mr. Flowerdew when enjoying your favorite fruits and veggies in the middle of winter. Planting: The Planting Design Book for the Twenty-First Century By Diarmuid Gavin & Terence Conran (272 pp., $60) If you want high-style gardening in your life, you’ll appreciate this lavish new book from two British authors known for their audacious design ideas. But rather than just displaying pretty pictures, Gavin and Conran aim to connect style with the actual plants. They do a thorough job of showing the variety of sites, shapes, textures, and col- ors that comprise a complete garden compo- sition, which is ultimately what garden design is all about. Better still, the example gardens are from various climates and regions, showing you a world of stylish pos- sibilities. — By Pete Prown GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 11 Conny Parsons has purple fingers. Those who know her may assume this discoloration occurred during an impassioned painting session — Conny is, after all, a talented artist — but in truth it’s the result of a morning spent deadheading daylilies. Second only to time spent at the easel, there is nothing Conny enjoys more than tending to her home garden in Media, PA. From the day her family moved in (with more than 300 favorite plants in tow), Conny has been constantly refining and reimagining her garden. If a plant seems unhappy with the sun or shade at its current location, she does not hesitate to uproot it and try someplace new. Even something as large as a tree isn’t seen as a permanent fixture; her garden is made of movable parts that work together to create a masterpiece. Unsurprisingly, Conny calls upon the elements and principles of art when garden- ing. Take, for instance, proportion: she places larger shrubs behind her roses so that a visitor’s eyes travel front to back, achieving a sense of depth. Similarly, she uses dark-leafed plants as a backdrop to contrast more colorful specimens. “Like a painting, a garden should invite you to step inside it,” says Conny. “So I paint and garden in a way that’s meant to draw you in.” A repetition of color and texture lends the garden a sense of balance and harmony. In Conny’s garden, a diverse selection of plants creates a classic white, yellow, and purple color scheme. Favorites include hellebore and weeping cercis. She recently went through a passionate period of planting Japanese maples, but, like many love affairs, her zeal has subsided. Of course the one species Conny never tires of is hosta. As the standing president of the Delaware Valley Hosta Society, she helped see that the American Painting Plants A Visit to Conny Parsons' Garden By Daniel Moise Photos by Pete Prown 12 GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 13 with Painting with Plants 14 J "What's not to like about hostas?" Hosta Society hosted its 2006 national conference in Philadelphia. “What’s not to like about hostas?” Conny asks. “Personally, I appreciate the subtle differences in foliage and size, and also the variation of the flowers. They also fill in empty patches nicely and are great understory plants for trees and shrubs.” At certain times you’ll find more than hostas on the Parsons property. Conny and her husband, Jim, have six grandchildren and each one views the garden as a wonderland for exploration and adventure. To help foster their appreciation for the natural world, Conny has devised games for the children’s enjoyment: “They especially love scavenger hunts. For instance I’ll show them the bract of a dove tree and say, 'Now go find the tree where this came from.”’ Her methods clearly work: “On the phone my granddaughter Emma once asked, 'How Painting with Plants i Right: Conny blends texture with strong color accents. Far right: A playful mix of amsonia and daylilies Below: Miniature hostas frolic amid impatiens and a tiny church. is the beech tree, Grandma? ” Conny also has some garden ornaments that the kids just adore, like fairy houses and whimsical sculptures. “First-time visitors to the garden will sometimes say, ‘This looks like a grandmother’s garden, she notes. “I always laugh and reply, ‘It most certainly is!”’ "Like a painting, a garden should invite you to step inside it." 16 From sustainable habitats to elegant gardens, we are "your outdoor problem solvers." E. G. Rail }r. Landscape Design & Horticultural Services 610.239.7460 EGRallJrLandscape.com become a fan on facebook Visit the Barnes Foundation's world-class art collection during its final year in Merion. Open for extended hours throughout the Flower Show For tickets and information, visit: www.barnesfoundation.org or call 610-667-0290 The Barnes Foundation I 300 North Latch’s Lane, Merion, Pennsylvania 19066 A CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 601 N. Ithan Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-1797 610-526-7000 I beaumontretirement.com Retirement living at Beaumont comes with many assets. Residents own their own apartments or villas; a valuable asset which can be sold in the future. An active continuing care retirement community Exceptional assisted living and skilled nursing care if needed Resident-owned, resident-governed, internally-managed Elegant, comfortable setting Residents are warm and welcoming Outstanding recreational opportunities We invite you to take a tour, come to an event and see selected apartments and villas at appealing prices and affordable monthly fees. GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 17 DESKTOP DUTY 10 Tough Plants for the Office By George Weigel , „ . . . All OIIICC Cubicle is a far cry from the sun-lit, mildly humid environment where many houseplants would rather grow. It takes a tough plant to weather workplace abuse. Lights may be on all the time or turned off altogeth- er on weekends. Much of the time, there’s no natural sunlight at all, just plant-unfriendly fluorescents mounted 9 feet up. Watering may be geared more toward meeting and vacation schedules than when the plants need it. And fertilizer, repot- ting, and pruning? Yeah, right. Fortunately, some houseplants have the chutzpah to live long and Here are 10 survivors to “green up” an office: ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia). Thick, fleshy, glossy, dark green leaves run up the upright 18- to 24- inch stems like rungs on a ladder. From a distance, it looks like a slightly overweight palm. Shove ZZ in a dim corner and ignore it for weeks; it scarcely fazes this botanical camel. No bug problems, either. Relatively new to common trade. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata). Stiff, sword-like blades grow straight up 3 feet or more in this versatile oldie-but-goodie. There are lots of choices, but most are variegated green and gold. Snake plants are skinny but can get top-heavy, so plant them in substantial pots to avoid dirt spills on the keyboard. Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior). The name should tell you something about this 2-foot foliage plant that looks a bit like a bushy corn plant. It laughs off very low light, irregular watering, dry air, near- freezing temperatures, dust, coffee dregs from the lazy cubicle-mate ... you name it. A favorite since Victorian times, cast iron plant has dark green, shiny, leathery leaves. 'Milky Way’ is a compact version with white speckles. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum). One of the most popular houseplants, peace lilies are the dense, bushy plants that put out those hooded, cobra-like white flowers. They tolerate low light and a wide range of conditions, although in very low light, they probably won’t re-bloom. Nevertheless, the foliage is lush and adept at purifying indoor air. Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana). Not a true bamboo, these are the pinky-sized canes that send out strappy green leaves when stuck in water. Lucky bamboo will grow in sand or pebble trays — no soil needed. They’re typically sold bundled and trained in Zen- like arrangements. Legend has it that they bring good luck when received as a gift ... a great side benefit when impossible deadlines loom. Desktop Plants ji Eight more plants to consider for office settings: Dracaena 'Janet Craig' (Dracaena deremensis > Jade plant ( Crassula argentea ) Prayer plant ( Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura ) Rubber plant ( Ficus elastica) Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ) English ivy ( Hedera helix) Kentia palm ( Howea forsteriana) Umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius) Why grow houseplants at the office? NASA studies from the 1990s found that many houseplant species are adept at removing ben- zene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene (TCE), and other pollutants from indoor air. A recent University of Washington study found that houseplant-adorned surroundings increased productivity in a computer task by 12 percent and resulted in smaller increases in blood pressure during the task. Hospital studies have found that patients heal faster and report less pain when plants are around, and a Harvard Medical School study found that people with plants in their homes reported less worry and greater compassion, happiness, enthusiasm for work, and energy than a non-plant comparison group. Besides, most people just find plants to be pretty. Isn't that worth something, too? Above: Aglaonema 'Black Lance' Right: Lucky bamboo and Parlor palm Above: Zen office with ivy floor 20 GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum). Another supposed good-luck plant, the age-old Chinese evergreen isn’t needled but is a broadly bladed foliage plant that grows in a dense, rounded form about a foot tall. Most are some combination of green and white or green and gold. Just keep them away from cold breezes, and you’ll have color and life with virtually no effort. Heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron scandens oxycardium). Here’s a vining foliage plant with heart- shaped leaves. It’s best grown in a hanging planter or elevated pot so the vines can drape down. Heart-leaf philodendrons actually prefer lower light and soil that’s on the dry side. Their main demand is occasional pruning. Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum). Another vine, this one has heart-shaped leaves of gold and green. Tolerating poor and abusive lighting, golden pothos trails nicely from a basket or can be trained up a trellis in a pot for a mini-tree effect. Spider plant (Chlorophytum COnnosum ). Sometimes called the “airplane plant,” this easy-to-grow favorite sends narrow, green-and-white variegated leaves out of the plant’s center. The cascading stems produce “babies” that are easy to propagate into new plants. Spider plants are usually grown in hanging baskets and are excellent air cleaners. Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans). Also known as the Neanthe Belle palm, this narrow-leafed beauty looks elegant but is as tough as nails. It’s one of the least likely palms to get brown tips — the bane of the more common Majesty palm. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and fakes you into thinking you’re in the tropics instead of an asphalt-laden office park. George Weigel is a Pennsylvania certified horticulturist who writes two weekly garden columns for The Patriot-News in Harrisburg and operates his own garden consulting business in central Pennsylvania. A McG LADE & SON LANDSCAPING DESIGN • BUILD • MAINTENANCE Our family run business has been creating and managing Award Winning Landscapes since 1 943. We also specialize in year round property management and seasonal lawn care. Call now to arrange a consultation with our professional staff to plan your Spring & Summer maintenance schedule/projects! 610-642-6299 • www.mcgladelandscaping.com • Gladwyne, PA Feoturing Perennial Expert GARDEN FESTIVAL CAN YOU dig it? JUNE 25-27, 2010 Courses , Workshops , Lectures and Garden Tours Kerry Mendez ww w. stowe gard e nfest i v al.com 511 Mountain Rd. Stowe, Vermont Sponsored by: GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 21 Rosa 'La Reine' , w are often rem i nded that variety is the spice f life. Yet it seems that in many gardens, particularly in gardens with roses, variety is exactly what is missing. Pressed for time, gardeners often turn to heavily marketed shrubs and perennials that are purported to be both tough and “easy- care” — great plants, to be sure. But the result is that gardens everywhere begin to look alike. Though traditionally the queen of every garden, the rose suffers from a reputation for being difficult to maintain. It’s true that certain varieties require lots of fussy care, and even more objectionable, regular doses of chemical controls to look their best. But newer varieties are beginning to shift these prejudices. The extremely popular ‘Knockout roses are disease-free plants offer- ing more than five months of blooms with additional colors available each season. While it’s easy to fall in love with new plants, don’t overlook the possibilities for romance found in older roses, particularly those introduced before the first hybrid tea rose was developed in 1867. These plants have brought beauty and pleasure to gardens for hundreds of years and have survived against the odds on their own merits. Their mere exis- tence is a testament to their toughness, as many have thrived for years at a time with no human intervention. You won’t see pallets of old roses at the big-box stores, since most are sold via websites by small growers. But they are ten times more interesting By Nicole Juday Photos by Rob Cardillo GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 23 Old Roses I i i than the popular varieties that flood the mar- ket each spring. Many qualities bred out of newer cultivars abound in old roses — chief among them scent. To stop and smell the roses in a contemporary garden is now pure- ly a metaphor, as one rarely gets a strong whiff of any fragrance from most modern roses. A walk among old roses, on the other hand, is a heady experience. What a delight to learn that not all roses smell like roses. Indeed, many ot these flowers have distinc- tive, intoxicating smells, bringing to mind raspberries, honey, vanilla, musk, or spice. The most powerfully fragrant can perfume a room and even an entire garden. Adding to their appeal, many old fashioned roses also have distinctive flower shapes. Some of the loveliest produce simple single or semi-double roses exhibiting as few as five innocent petals with golden centers. Other flowers are anything but simple, bringing to mind the elaborate costumes of eras gone by, with layer upon layer of hitched, ruffled, quartered, and tufted petals. Their colors evoke the past as well. The majority of old roses predate the introduc- tion of the yellow rose from China, and thus exhibit a limited palette of color from deep violet-tinged crimson through every possible shade of pink to white. Growing these old-fashioned roses doesn’t have to be intimidating. Start with varieties that bloom once during the year. These plants burst into head-to-toe bloom in late spring, look respectable the rest of the season, and have lew cultural requirements. One dose of fertilizer in spring should suffice, and if desired, you can shape or prune the plants Roses In Thyme rosesinthyme.com Roses Unlimited rosesunlimitedownroot. com Vintage Gardens vintagegardens. com Pickering Nurseries pickeringnurseries. com Antique Rose Emporium antiqueroseemporium.com Old Rose Sources 5 Old Roses for Philadelphia-area Gardens 'Celsiana' Known locally as "Germantown Damask," this rose was documented in Philadelphia as early as 1750 It has bluish-green foliage, reaches 5 feet high, and its pale pink flowers open to expose slightly crinkled petals, reminding one of fragile vintage silk. The fragrance is heady damask, making the flowers of 'Celsiana' highly prized for potpourri and culinary uses. 'Rose de Rescht' No one knows exactly when this damask perpetual was introduced, but it is among the most reliable of the re-bloomers. Reaching 4 feet tall, the plant is covered in deep crimson, very fragrant cupped flowers packed with petals. Like many of us, 'Rose de Rescht' tends to slow down in hot weather, but it will re-bloom steadily in the fall. 'Champneys' Pink Cluster' In 1802 American John Champneys created the country's first hybrid rose when he brushed the pollen of a musk rose onto a china rose, and planted out seeds of the ensuing rose hips. One of these seedlings exhibited the features he wanted: strong fragrance and repeated bloom on an attractive, vigorous plant. His namesake rose has delicate foliage with hundreds of small, fragrant, pale pink flowers for months at a time. When not deadheaded, attractive small hips extend this rose's seasonal interest. Rosa setigera For people who want to reconcile an interest in native plants with really beautiful flowers, this is a great rose. Native to the eastern United States, this climber needs a fair amount of space in the garden, but works well grown on a fence or on tree branches for support. Expect single flowers of a lovely innocent pink (so innocent as to be scent- less) with golden anthers on canes that can reach 20 feet in late June or early July, after most roses have finished their first bloom. Rosa spinosissima A suckering shrub that grows to about 5 feet tall and gradually spreads, the Scotch rose needs practically nothing to thrive. The first rose to bloom in the garden, its fragrant flowers of soft pink or pale yellow, occasionally double but usually single, are followed by large, shiny, black hips in midsummer. Its ferny foliage resists disease and remains attractive throughout the season. GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 25 A; The Second Annual Old Rose Symposium will take place at Wyck, one of America's oldest rose gardens, on Saturday, June 5th. This day-long event will bring together America's most talented experts to focus on the history, culture, and preservation of old roses. Registration information can be found at wyck.org. Rosa moss type Perfect Time... Perfect Place... Perfect Plan. Find it at The Hill at Whitemarsh, one of Delaware Valleys newest life care communities, where you can easily enjoy the energy and culture of the city, yet escape to country living in a beautiful community setting. Residents here are passionate about Philadelphia, thrive on an active social life and maintain an independent and stimulating lifestyle. Our spacious residences feature a wealth of services and amenities and assure you a lifetime of maintenance free, comfortable living with a secure future. For a personal appointment and tour of our community, please call us today at 215-402-8500 or 1-800-315-4103. Where You Want to Be 4000 Fox Hound Drive, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 www.thehillatwhitemarsh.org i =t 26 GREEN SCENE • may/june2010 in July before leaving them to their own devices. You do not need to deadhead once- blooming roses, and indeed, if the spent blos- soms are left alone they form attractive rose hips that provide food for wildlife. It’s as if these plants have an inferiority complex and try to make up for their limited blooming season by being as undemanding and pleasant as possible in every other way. Re-blooming roses have an obvious advan- tage in extended seasonal interest, and with adequate care their blossoms will continue to adorn a garden well into fall. Regular deadheading of the spent blooms encourages continual production of flowers. The tri-athletes of the rose world, re-bloomers need more fertilizer to keep from running out of steam partway through the season. Monthly applications of fertilizer (try cheap, organic dehydrated chicken manure) in the spring and summer keep them going. These plants require more water as well, as they do not enter into summer dormancy. Old roses have a mellowness, gracefulness, and delicacy rarely found in modern plants, and they assimilate well into most landscape styles. Gardeners willing to give these inexpensive and long-lived roses a chance will find themselves among their many admirers, both past and present, who have been entirely captivated by their charms. Nicole Juday is the horticulturist at Wyck in the historic Germantown section of Philadelphia, where she cares for one of the oldest rose gardens in America. For more information go to wyck.org. Photo 1 RLOWTR POWER Lost Gardens of the Brandywine Exhibition Now through July 25, 2010 Through rare early color images and garden relics, explore the private historic gardens of the Brandywine Valley— hidden gems of fleeting beauty, many of which have been lost to time. Included with admission. Members free. Bouquets of Blossoms Step into stunning beauty as Azalea Woods, H. F. du Pont’s eight-acre masteipiece, bursts into glorious bloom. Stroll the Peony Garden and witness a show-stopping paradise, with enormous blossoms unfurled in delectable colors. To discover what’s in bloom, visit gardenblog.winterthur.org or call 302.888.4856. Included with admission. Members free. Dig Deeper Can’t get enough of the garden? Then come inside! The Flower Power exhibition explores H. F. du Pont’s floral-arranging prowess. Spring house tours reveal elegant rooms filled with glorious flower arrangements, and a multitude of fascinating programs take a closer look at the garden’s unfolding beauty. For complete details, visit winterthur.org. Winterthur is nestled in Delaware's beautiful Brandywine Valley on Route 52, between 1-95 and Route I. 800.448.3883 • 302.888.4600 • winterthur.org GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 27 By llene Sternberg Photography by Walter Chandoha Are you longing to be the Farmer in the Dell but find yourself dell- less? Or, perhaps you’ve been growing produce in the ground for years and suddenly your back is staging a mutiny. If so, growing edibles in containers may be a good alternative for you. 28 GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 For one thing, pots take up less space, fitting nicely along fences and in corners; in and around flower beds; adjacent to walks and drives; near the house foundation; in window boxes; and on patios, porches, balconies, decks, fire escapes, and rooftops. (Note: pitched roof — not good.) Even boaters have been known to have a few container gardens at railside. Container gardening is easier on the back than growing in-ground, as pots can be set at a convenient height and raised and lowered when necessary. Container gardening lets you choose the best site for each plant. You can rearrange pots to position different plants for optimum light exposure. You can move smaller plants from the shade of larger ones and rotate them frequently to encourage vigorous growth. Most vegeta- bles need 6 to 8 hours of sun per day, but some leafy crops, such as lettuce, arugula, cabbage, spinach, and parsley, grow well with less, so these can be in the rear of your container garden. Place fruit-bearing plants like cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant where they’ll receive the most direct sunlight. For heat-loving plants, south or southwest exposure is best. A southeastern exposure will keep lettuce productive all summer, offering light early in the day and protecting it from strong afternoon sun. You can protect plants better from rabbits, deer, and other marauding vege- tarians by keeping containers close to the house, since wildlife may not risk raiding your rutabagas where there’s frequent human and pet activity about. And you may have fewer soil-borne diseases and pests using a soilless planting medium, sterilized soil, or your own gourmet compost concoction. If plants do run into problems they’re easier to treat, monitor- . Dried- herbs are ok, frozen are better, but fresh are the best. Grow them in t containers outdoors when the weather is warm, then bring them indoors to spend the winter. ■>* i * * ** a Growing Vegetables in Containers To thrive, vegetables need 6 to 8 hours of sunshine. Containers can be easily moved from place to to keep them sunshine. A pot-grown Meyer' lemon tree stays indoors when temperatures fall but goes outdoors in the warmer months. ► FINE GARDEN CREATIONS, INC. %/ Landscape and Garden Design and Installations info@finegardencreations.com • www.finegardencreations.com Tel: 610-338-0630 • Fax: 610-328-4850 • PA 013202 ing them closely and talking to them soothingly daily, offering encouraging affirmations. And if all looks hopeless, you can oust them posthaste. With containerized plants you can also deliver precise doses of fertilizer and water. You can give lettuce and spinach extra water and nitrogen for rich leaf growth or kick-start tomatoes with a high-nitrogen fertilizer, switching to one with more phosphorous and calcium as fruits develop. It’s convenient to water plants that are nearby rather than hauling a hose over acres oi land — assuming there’s a close-at-hand water source and spigot. Hanging baskets are ideal for cherry tomatoes, most herbs, leaf lettuce, and other salad greens to keep them above rabbit-chomping level. You can also cultivate dwarf and minaret fruit trees, which need very little space. (Minarets have an upright stem and short, fruit- bearing side shoots.) Compact blueberry and thornless blackberries make great patio plants. Containerized tropicals and 30 GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 patio' tomatoes, aptly nai |leal for growing in large jontainers on a patio. Ithough a determinate, s large tomatoes need jpport to keep the pliffi rowing vertically^ 5. Photographer and avid gardener Walter Chandoha offers more tips: On my 46-acre farm I have a variety of gardens. My herb and vegetable gardens are about a half city block away from my back door, a daunting hike when I need something to amend a recipe. In addition to being an amateur gardener, I’m also an amateur cook — and a lazy one. The cooking and the laziness are why I always have an assortment of potted herbs immediately outside my kitchen door. The closer they are to the cooking pot, the tastier the food. Before I fig- ured this out, I ruined many a recipe because I was too lazy to schlep out to the garden to pick the required herbs. Now, with the herbs just out- side the kitchen, my food rarely lacks the zip they provide. I always have fresh herbs growing in pots indoors during the winter, too. And in more years than not I also have a few pots of assorted lettuces growing along with the herbs so I can quickly pinch off some leaves for a garnish or for building a quick BLT sandwich when tomatoes are in season. Caring for my pot- ted stuff is no big deal. I keep plastic gallon jugs filled with water near the pots, and when I think of it I stick a finger into the top half inch of soil in the pots. If it's dry, I water; if it's damp, I don't. ARBORS mm TRELLISES GATES -Aa ARCHWAYS OBELISKS TOWERS ?3C PAVILIONS PERGOLAS SELECT FROM OUR POPULAR LINE OF PRODUCTS OR LET US BENCHES CUSTOM DESIGN/BUILD TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS. Thc_j Painted Garden. j, Inc. (215) 884-7378 WWW.THEPAINTEDGARDENINC.COM 304 EDGE HILL ROAD, GLENSIDE, PA 19038 SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT ojl£ dkc&hs HzeJl/ 5,000 ctem& C?{hJkot£ iJb ^Ia)&a£(£ (Jt & <^>^oahMn v/ Candelabra by Artist Sandra Webberking Hi... . Elizabeth Schumacher's mm it - - ,sS GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 31 Growing Vegetables in Containers 1J ree;©? Landscape Services Unprecedented Experience Person df Servi ce Exceptional Qualjjy ft's the - ,» - McFarland Way! ,v ^ ' *• 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 I I l H I WK Guided by Quaker Values of Financial Security Setting Standards of Excellence in Retirement Living Since 1 967 Gwynedd, PA • 215-643-2200 • www.foulkeways.org Sfe ^ panpha FRIENDS services a Foulkeways® at Gwynedd does not discriminate on trie basis of race. aging aahsa color, religion, national origin, gender, age, handicap or sexual orientation Vegetables and herbs in a. roof-top New York City container garden need periodic weedintL . but £ave no problem with * *• deer or fabbits up this high* out-of-zone specimens (olives, figs, passion fruit, lemons, oranges, bananas, etc.) can come indoors for winter. Harvest your edibles at peak maturity for the best flavor. It all your babies ripen simultaneously, pick them and keep in a cool place rather than letting them grow on too long and chance having them spoil or rot. If you stagger planting seeds a few weeks apart in spring, there’s a better chance of reaping veggies throughout summer, rather than having all your tomatoes or cucumbers ripen at once. Put fresh soil mix in containers each year. At the end of the day, nothing beats lounging on the terrace and reaching over to pluck a ripe, aromatic, homegrown peach and biting into its warm succulent flesh, the luscious syrupy nectar drizzling down your chin (casual dress required). 32 GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 Many vegetables are ornamental as well as delicious. Some tasty vessel-worthy veggies bred for compact size are: I Tomatoes: 'Patio Prize', 'Pixie', 'Tiny Tim', 'Saladette', 'Toy Boy', 'Spring Giant’, 'Tumbling Tom’, 'Small Fry', 'Better Bush Improved', 'Sweet Baby Girl', Super Sweet 100' Lettuce: 'Baby Oakleaf', 'Buttercrunch', 'Salad Bowl', 'Bibb', 'Romaine', 'Dark Green Boston', 'Ruby', 'Tom Thumb' Cucumbers: 'Spacemaster', 'Salad Bush Hybrid', 'Bush Pickle', 'Burpless', 'Liberty', 'Early Pik', 'Crispy', 'Salty', and 'Bush Champion' Carrots: 'Thumbelina', 'Little Finger' WHEN YOUR LANDSCAPE SHREINER TREE CARE 610.265.6004 • shreinertreecare.com Peppers: 'Friggitello', 'Cubanelle', 'Sweet Banana', 'Jalapeno', 'Robustini' 'Yolo Wonder', 'Keystone Resistant Giant', 'Canape' Eggplant: ' Ichiban', 'Bambino', 'Slim Jim', 'Florida Market', 'Black Beauty', 'Long Tom' Green onions: ' Beltsville Bunching', 'Crysal Wax', 'Evergreen Bunching' ItivdKiptnf 4 Tim S«fv«« Inc. WE CREATE BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR LIFESTYLES A FULL SERVICE COMPANY SPECIALIZING IN: TREE SERVICE ° PONDS & WATER FEATURES (CERTIFIED CONTRACTOR) OUTDOOR LIGHTING ‘ PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN & INSTALLATION PATIOS & WALKWAYS MAINTENANCE & .. 'H' - DRAINAGE Distinctive Water Gardens “EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY. EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE Call 610-647-1028 • www.PezzottiBros.com • Email us at: PezzottiBros@comcast.net Radishes: 'Cherry Belle', 'Scarlet Globe', 'Icicle' Green beans: dwarf French, 'Topcrop', 'Greencrop', 'Contender', 'Blue Lake', 'Kentucky Blue', 'Kentucky Wonder' Squash: 'Ronde de Nice', 'Gold Rush', 'Dixie', 'Gold Neck', 'Early Prolific Straightneck', 'Zucco', 'Diplomat', 'Senator' y Shore and nestled neighborhood, sits Waldor Orchids, an award-winning, ^family-owned nursery f hat'? home to one 500,000 orchid plants. Specializing in quality orchids for ■j’j. 80 years. v -,7V GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 33 Greening Basics INVOLVING YOUNG VOLUNTEERS IN YOUR GREEN PROJECT By Daniel Moise Stream Restorati i Jn Progrel jggjgfe; f I ■ My-'' S fl ' -- kl 'k-y • - - . Summer is fast approaching, which means teenagers across the country will soon have far too much time on their hands. Why not put their able bodies and active minds to use by involving them with greening projects? Not only does volunteering get them off the couch and into the sun- shine, but it helps foster a new genera- tion of environmental advocates. To recruit young people for a summer project, it’s best to seek them out en masse. Before the school-year ends, approach your local schools to see if they can help disseminate information. After- school programs, church groups, and organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the 4-H Club are also ideal for finding eager participants. Left Participants in PHS's Youth Environmental Stewardship project harvest plants at a community garden. 34 GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 Left A group of teenagers helped out at a recent PHS volunteer tree planting. In theory, the opportunity to beautify their community should be enough to motivate teenagers, but as any parent knows, they usually need a bit of coaxing. When asking them to volun- teer, consider how to make your offer sound enticing to their priorities. Could your project be considered an internship? Might it strengthen a college application or satisfy their school’s community service requirement? If nothing else, remind the youths that the opportunity you present allows them to spend time outside with their friends — hardly a tough sell. The key to overseeing a group of young volunteers is to keep them busy. They can remove litter from parks, plant flower beds in public spaces, or launch a recycling campaign. Make it an enrich- ing experience by teaching them new skills, such as how to prune trees. Do your best to keep it fun and be sure to supply plenty of positive reinforcement — and snacks and water. Even if you encounter eye-rolling early on, young people are bound to have a change of heart once they see the results. A job well done can truly be its own reward. And even if they don’t admit it freely, it’s likely they’ll gain a new-found understanding of their relationship to the environment. If you have a successful summer working with teens, don’t let it end there. Find ways to keep them involved with your greening project all year, be it after school or on the weekends. Best of all, since young people tend to operate in groups, your volunteers can recruit oth- ers to the cause. Once you tap into teen spirit and youthful energy, you’ll be amazed by what they can accomplish! Gateway Garden Center gatewaygardens.com 7277 Lancaster Pike Hockessin, DE 19707 302-239-2727 I Linger at Longwood, Get it at Gateway. Bring the beauty of bulbs to your gardens from our vast collection of the best Dutch flow er bulbs and herbaceous peonies at the best prices. Select a color palette and create natural, harmonious gardens with intermingled flower bulbs. Here is a fragrant combination of Triumph Tulip Apricot Beauty and Hyacinth Blue Jacket. Contact Van Engelen for our 52-page wholesale flower bulb price list or John Scheepers for our colorful 88-page Beauty from Bulbs catalog. Contact Kitchen Garden Seeds for our 60-page catalog with over 500 gourmet vegetable, herb and flower seeds. It has a wealth of practical gardening tips from Barbara Damrosch and wonderful recipes from renowned U.S. chefs. Happy fall nesting! V&ti €v»5c1cvt Phone: (860) 567-8734 www.vanengelcn.com John Scheepers Phone: (860) 567-0838 www.johnscheepers.com GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 35 Classified Ads FLORISTS HARDSCAPING LANDSCAPE DESIGN Sustainable Event Decorating garden arrangements can be planted weddings, parties, holidays corporate-private www.urbanbotanical.com Helen@urbanbotanical.com 215-438-7533 GARDEN STRUCTURES GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Custom Aluminum or Wood 35 Years’ Experience Call Robert J. LaRouche at Glass Enclosures Unlimited 610-687-2444 GREEN TECHNOLOGIES Rainwater Harvesting Systems Capture • Filter • Reuse Please visit our website to learn more www.YourPond.com Cedar Run Landscapes 1 -800-Landscape HERITAGE STONE & MARBLE We are an installation and restoration company who emphasizes long lasting quality with outstanding craftsmanship. FLAGSTONE, BRICK-patios and walkways, COBBLESTONE-edging and paving, STONE walls, RETAINING walls, MARBLE, GRANITE-floors, walls, countertops. 21 5-699-561 1 Upper Gwynedd, PA 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 BURKE BROTHERS LANDSCAPE DESIGN/BUILD Nationally-recognized designs. Experienced staff ensures the integrity of the design from concept to completion. burkebrothers.com 215-887-1773 610-520-2025 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 www.davidbrothers.com Eco Design and Management Designs, Installs, Restores and Maintains Ecological, Artistic Landscapes 610-659-6737 866-496-9882 www. ecodesignmanage. com LINDA CORSON LANDSCAPE DESIGN • Consulting • Plans • Supervision Registered Landscape Architect Member ASU\ 215-247-5619 MULCH BALED PINE NEEDLE MULCH Pick up/Delivery/Spreading service Cedar Run Landscapes Call for brochure 1 -800-LANDSCAPE www. CedarRunLandscapes. com FLOWERS AND MORE, INC. Garden Design, Installation & Maintenance PINE-NEEDLE MULCH Wholesale and Retail 610-701-9283 renee52@comcast.net Legacy Landscapes Planting the Future of PHS Legacy Landscapes is a $12.1 million campaign to establish an endowment fund to support the horticultural maintenence of civic and neighborhood landscape projects of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. For more information please contact the PHS Development Office at 21 5-988-8800 or visit www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 36 GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 NURSERIES 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 Perennials Are Our Specialty! POPES’ GARDENS Annuals • Vegetables • Herbs Hanging Baskets • Shrubs • Trees Fruit Trees & Berry Bushes Classes • Display Gardens • Farm Animals 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 Gardener’s Paradise For Sale Award winner - PHS’s city garden contest Overlooks golf course and is easy walk to trains, schools and town. 4brs, 31/2 bths, 3/4 acres great privacy Pictures on request. Garden paradise 1 23@gmail. com TREES Large 20’ Specimen Hollies Delicious Home Grown Fruit Guided Orchard Walks Indian Orchards 24 Copes Lane, Media, PA 19063 610-565-8387 Tree Transfers Inc. Large Tree Transplanting and Sales Large Screening & Specimen Plant Material 215-635-2310 Serving the Delaware Valley since 1987 PLANTS/BULBS/SEEDS Endless Mountains Daylily Farm offers 55 varieties of care-free daylilies, freshly dug, generous size, guaranteed hardy, great price! Visit www. endlessmountainsdayl/lyfarm. com ; Call 570-586-4387. Mention ad for 1 free equal value plant on orders over $50. REAL ESTATE For Sale By Owner Unique, architect-designed/built home Swarthmore, .50 acre, 3BR, 3BA, 4 FP 18,h Century farmhouse style Private, quiet cul-de-sac location Family room wall of windows faces in-ground pool and gardens Lovingly cultivated for over 35 years On PHS and Scott Garden Tours Contact 610-328-3580 Morris Arboretum ^Plant t Sale at the new Horticulture Center Members only: Fri, May 7 Public Admission: Sat, May 8 www. morrisarboretum.org 215.247.5777 Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania Official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Catalog your Orchid colle&tion today! ' ' For each plant you have you can track: - Extensive Details - Digital Photo Album - Blooming History - Journal Entries - Repotting History ^Cultural Notes - Medical Hjstory - Book Index - Pollinatiajfflistory £ - much, much morelM* Produce reilmly™8Ke to shows and Track your \Visffflp3nd Efvorite Websites toot ? Visit www.cattleyalog.com to try it or to buy it Systeme Software 215-258-5217 Visa MasterCard Amex or use your PayPal Online Download: CD-ROM: $49.95 $59.95 Cattleya-Log is the best software available for tracking an orchid collection of any size. e Try it out for FREE! GREEN SCENE • may/june 2010 37 The Backyard if il Learn about Trees By Pete Prown ONLINE MOI»T tCV TreeBank There is plenty of information about trees on the Internet, but it can be dizzying to wade through countless web pages to find what you’re looking for. If you want to start locally, come to the PHS website for a variety of useful tree tools. Here you will find everything from planting tips to locating an area volunteer group to work with. Let’s get started! Your first stop is Philadelphia green.org , and then click either “Trees” or “Tree Tenders” on the left. The first link will take you to the ALL ABOUT TREES page, where you can watch videos on how to plant a tree; learn about tree care; and search through the PHS Gold Medal Plant database, which is full of photos, facts, and into on nearly 100 woody plants. Philadelphia residents can file applications to obtain trees for fall planting. You’ll also find interactive maps showing you PHS Tree Tender groups in the city and throughout the region. This handy tool allows you to search your area for nearby groups and find contact information in case you want to join the fun. Also on the left, you can click on the link for Tree Tenders, PHS’s noted training class on tree care. This page will show you the dates of upcoming training sessions and contact information. In just a few minutes, you learn a lot about how to properly plant a tree, care for it, and then join a group that will ensure there are healthy trees in your neighborhood for decades to come. Moreover, you will be contributing to the beauty and wellbeing of our region, because trees contribute environmental, social and economic benefits for all. Come visit Philadelphiagreen.org to learn more! 38 Since 1929 FEED SHRUBS NATURALLY AZALEAS*CAMELLIA*RHODODENDRON*EVERGREENS For over 60 years Holly-tone® has been the # 1 choice for feeding acid-loving plants. It contains the finest natural ingredients available and will provide your shrubs ith oceans of blooms and deep, evergreen color. LOVING PLANTS qlCH_IN_ „.,nALORGANICS: All Natural Plant Food for HOLLIES • AZALEAS CAMELLIAS • EVERGREENS RHODOS • DOGWOODS www.espoma.com II At PNC Wealth Management we’ve been helping secure our clients’ futures for more than 1 50 years. Let our strength and stability be the basis for yours. % . '.f '* - w - jr ' *■ „ v _ . i 1 , \ ' x The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) prov'des investment arcf wealth 'management, fiduciary Services, FDIC-insured banking products and services and lending and borrowng of funds through tstsubsio anes'f’NC Bank, -Natrona! Assoc'iSrtibri and PNC Bank, Delaware and National Oty Bank, which are Members FDIC. PNC does not provide ega , tax or accounting advice. Investments: Not F01C Insured. No BanktGUaf'antee. May Lose Value. ©2009 The PNC Finance; Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. dT) Ida i r ^ altih I I N V- MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY To put your trust in someone else’s hands is to have complete confidence in them. We earn this trust by providing clients with an experienced team that will listen, understand and then develop a customized plan to achieve their goals. When it comes to helping guide our clients in building their future, we look for solutions that will benefit them in the long run. Our long-term perspective has made us one of the best-performing large banks in America today and it is also the same perspective we apply to managing our clients’ wealth. To find out how we can help you, call 1-888-762-6226 or visit pnc.com/wealthmanagement. As a PHS member, you may be eligible to save $1,300 to $3,300 off the MSRR* plus current incentives on any new Subaru purchase or lease, including the 2010 Forester. Another reason to love the VIP Partners Program. Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru. To learn more, visit http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/membership/VIP.html PLANTING SEEDS. GROWING LIVES. Subaru is pleased to announce that the Forester was recently named a 2010 IIHS Top Safety Pick. ‘You may be eligible to save $1,300 to $3,300 off the MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) depending on model and accessories, plus any applicable incentives on the purchase or lease of any new Subaru from participating dealers. MSRP does not include tax, title and registration fees. Limited time offer subject to change without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Valid in the U.S. only, except Hawaii. Cannot be combined with any other SOA promotional offers, coupons (such as auto show or internet coupons) or direct mail offers (except Subaru Guaranteed Trade-In Program (GTP) or Subaru Reward Dollars). All rights reserved. A dazzling restoration by world-class architects, gardeners, engineers, and craftsman has restored this premiere North American estate to its turn of the century magnificence. A new visitor center, re-landscaped gardens and the spectacular mansion welcome the public. “You Need More Beauty in Your life, Come to Nemours!” Nemours Mansion & Gardens Alapocas Drive and Powder Mill Road (Route 141), Wilmington, DE For reservations call 1-800-651-6912 or go to www.nemoursmansion.org. Cathedral Village The “Tip of the Iceberg” is ... An opportunity for you to participate in the complete renovation of a Country > apartment, one of our largest and most luxurious style floor plans, with your choice of... ♦ Hardwood flooring in the foyer, living room, dining room and kitchen. ♦ A kitchen with all stainless steel appliances. ♦ New kitchen cabinetry and easy-to-maintain granite or Zodiaq® countertops. ♦ Modern amenities in each bathroom and non-slip ceramic or porcelain tile floors. ♦ Wall-to-wall carpet colors in the bedrooms and hallway. ♦ Modern custom lighting as well as complete crown molding and chair rail trim. ♦ Paint colors for walls and trim. Under “ The Tip of the Iceberg” is ... Wljat you don ’t see . . . ♦ Excellence in extensive resident services. ♦ Our most comprehensive healthcare system. ♦ Assisted Living care in the comfort of your own spacious Country apartment, if ever required. ♦ A financially stable and credit-rated community. ♦ An unmatched lifestyle. Your unmatched lifesty le can include swimming in the warmth of our Pool year-round, exercising in the Fitness Center, attending numerous Professional Concerts in Cathedral Hall or having our Security Personnel take you to the Philadelphia Orchestra or theater events. Discover the Village College, Horticultural and Greenhouse programs, the Painting and Pottery Studios and classes, and the many other reasons why Cathedral Village residents find their lifestyle so enjoyable. There is so much more than meets the eye at Cathedral Village! Cathedral Village 600 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 www.cathedralvillage.com (215) 984-8621 Call or Visit Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Appointments are needed for weekends and holidays. \=t COO At MCOSMG OPPORTUNITY Cathedral Village is a Nonprofit Nondenominational Continuing Care Retirement Community Accredited by CARF-CCAC Since 1984 • Affiliated With the Jefferson Health System Since 1986 Editor Pete Prown Senior Editor Jane Carroll Associate Editor Daniel Moise Staff Photographer Margaret Funderburg Art Design Baxendells' Graphic Printer ALCOM Printing Group, Inc. Website PHSonline.org 100 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 215-988-8800 Chair John K. Ball President Drew Becher Vice President, Programs Maitreyi Roy PHS Membership Information Linda Davis, 215-988-8776 Display & Classified Ads Manzo Media Group 610-527-7047 mmanzo@manzomediagroup.com Garden Q & A Phone Line 215-988-8777 Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 12 l closed in December I askagardener@pennhort.org GREEN SCENE (USPS 955580), Volume 38, No.4, is published bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a nonprofit 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. © 2010 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society MIX Paper from responsible sources www.fsc.org FSC® C006218 POTTING SHED O Lavender Globe Lily ^ Learn about this lovely late-summer performer. 9 Hidden Treasures Visit a pair of lush shade gardens in Philly's Mt. Airy neighborhood. How to Garden in Dry Shade ' In the shade of a large tree, plants often languish and die. But as Patricia A. Taylor shows us, the gardeners at Chanticleer have created a plant palette that thrives in dry shade. FEATURES Greening Up! 1 O Join Laura Brandt as she asks "green gardening” expert Joe Lamp'l about new techniques for greening up your lawn and garden work. A few easy steps will make a world of difference. 22 Creating Habitat for Our Woodland Friends In today's increasingly urban environment, wildlife frequently suffers from loss of habitat. Susan and Bernard Cooker, however, are combating the problem by creating an animal-friendly environment throughout their Devon, PA, property. Learn how you, too, can create a home for critters. 26 Go Native with Heucheras andTiarellas llene Sternberg brings us up to speed with the latest hybrids and cultivars in this popular group of perennials. O D Dining on Your Landscape There are many edible plants in the landscape, says Ellen Zachos. Here, she shows us six plants that can all be served for supper. Tuck in\ COLUMNS 38 Greening Basics Motivating Volunteers for a Workday 42 The Backyard PHS's latest contribution to the fast-growing field of urban agriculture. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. Cover photos: Bird by Steve Byland, Dreamstime.com; Heuchera courtesy of Proven Winners Letter from the Editor ardening Questions for DREW BECHER Drew Becher recently became the 36th president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and he’s bringing his innovative concepts for greener living to PHS, its members, and constituents. But people also want to know about Drew’s gardening background, so we recently talked with him about plants, design, and the environment. Tell us about your early gardening adventures. From a young age, I always was planting, weeding, and trimming at my grandmother’s house. And at home, my father never needed to ask me to help with yard work. In fact, at 12 or 13, I won a contest for Most Beautiful Yard in Washington Township, Ohio. In high school, we had a great-looking school building, but they never kept up the landscape, so I started a grounds crew. We planted the front entrances and improved the atmosphere. Later, at the University of Cincinnati, whose campus wasn’t very attractive at the time, I developed a grounds management system with students and created a master plan. It was recently named one of the top 10 most beautiful campuses in the country. Who were your biggest influences? I was really inspired by my grandmother, Ruby Rinko — she taught me so much. She would start plants from cuttings in those Gerber baby-food jars; to me, it seemed that she could grow anything. When I was older, I was influenced by landscape architects like Douglas Hoerr, who designed the exquisite median plantings in Chicago; New York’s Michael Van Valkenburgh, whose spaces are truly innovative; and Lynden Miller, a designer who has worked in New York’s Central Park and Bryant Park. How did you get into greening? I focused my college thesis on the idea that plants are relatively cheap, at least as compared to paving materials. I wondered, why do cities replace all these sidewalks when there are easier, less-expensive green solutions? For example, if you look at one city block, you might see that only part of a sidewalk is in disrepair. You can remove just the bad sections and add greenery and planters. And in our own gardens, we know that in one day you can clean it up, take out leggy plants, and put in attractive new ones. So my thought was, “Let’s do the same thing, but on a larger, urban scale.” What is your own garden like? I started it about four years ago, but since I haven’t lived in Philadelphia full time until now, it’s still a work in progress. The bones are in place. It’s a mix of formal ideas and evolves into a more natural setting. I love white flowers, so there are lots of them, but they are punctuated with exclamation points ol color. Design-wise, I skew more to the somewhat “kept” look. Even my wild section might seem a little too groomed to some folks. What part of the gardening process do you enjoy the most? I like moving plants around and editing things in the landscape. At the end of the day, I’ll sit on our patio with a glass of wine and think about what changes I want to make. I might even move a plant six inches il it will look better to me. I just love getting in there and digging. There’s nothing better than going to a bed, pulling out the old plants, and redesigning it into something new. At the end of the day, you look at it and think, “Wow, I did this.” As you know, it’s incredibly satisfying. Everyone wants to know: What is your favorite flower? 1 adore hydrangeas. They last all summer, and if you leave the flowers on, they look great for most of the winter, too. Has the Flower Show influenced your planting plans? Absolutely. I got some great plant ideas this year from that part of Hall B that insiders call the “Horticourt.” One of them is to get a trough and do a rock-garden planting for my outdoor table. There’s a rock gardening expert at Meadowbrook Farm named Bernard Pettit. So I’m going to take a class there; it’ll be my summer project. What can anyone do to become a greener gardener? That’s easy: compost. We all have uncooked food waste at our houses; plus as gardeners, we know how much leaf and flower litter floats down onto our properties. You can rake up that material and suddenly you have a big pile of green stuff that’s perfect to throw on the compost pile. These days there are compost bins available in all sizes. To me, composting is one of the most important things you can do for your garden and the environment. Fortunately, it’s really easy, too. Pete/ Prawn/ email: greenscene@pennhort.org 6 GREEN SCENE • july/august 2010 Perfect Time... Per feet Place... Per feet Plan. 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Rail Jr. Landscape Design 8c Horticultural Services 610.239.7460 EGRallJrLandscape.com become a fan on facebook McGLADE &SON LANDSCAPING DESIGN • BUILD • MAINTENANCE Our family run business has been creating and managing Award Winning Landscapes since 1943. We also specialize in year round property management and seasonal lawn care. Call now to arrange a consultation with our professional staff to plan your Spring & Summer maintenance schedule/projects! 610-642-6299 • www.mcgladelandscaping.com • Gladwyne, PA C C/Utf/ess ^tirc/jcns im Voted Best of the Main Line for 6 Years GREEN SCENE • july/ougust 2010 7 Klehm's Song Sparrow Nursery 800-553-3715, songsparrow. com McClure & Zimmerman 800-546-4053 mzbulb.com Lazy S'S Farm lazyssfarm.com August can be the crudest month for gardeners, but thanks to lavender globe lily ( Allium tanguticum), we can stay a little saner. Even when heat and humidity are beating down, and disease and nasty insects run rampant through the beds, lavender globe lily remains a reliable, no-fuss perennial, one I’ve been growing for more than 20 years in my gardens. It is good looking in sun or shade, long-blooming, and a bee magnet. What more could one ask? Well, on my part, I wish it were better known. Perhaps even more important, I wish botanists or horticulturists could agree on its name — a situation that may account for this Allium being rarely found in gardens. Alliums constitute a huge genus — up to 1,000 members — and come in either bulbous or rhizomatous forms. Lavender globe lily is among the latter and has rich, slightly bluish green, strap-like leaves from spring through fall. This 1- to 2-foot-tall plant forms clumps that spread very slowly, and I have never found a seedling. I have placed it among the similarly colored foliage of irises, a dwarf blue baptisia, and a native white-flowered spiraea (S. betufo- liavzt. lucidd). The first two bloom in mid spring. The last blooms in late spring and sporadically thereafter and has purple foliage in fall. Lavender globe lily takes up the slack period in this grouping. Starting in mid July, swanlike flower buds, encased in a white sheath, rise from the clump. Even if they never opened, I would grow the plant just for this lovely sculptural effect. As the stems straighten, the pendulous buds lift and form right angles, so that the effect is of a gaggle of geese. And now — here comes the popu- lar name — the buds open to form upright pale lavender globes. This symphony of form and color goes on for six to eight weeks. My plants came from McClure & Zimmerman. I ordered two cultivars, ‘Summer Beauty’ and ‘Blue Skies’, at different times and wasn’t paying close attention when I planted them, with the result that I couldn’t tell the difference between the two and have no idea which clump I took with me when we moved five years ago. What I have learned, however, is that Mark McDonough, aka “The Onion Man” and a superb source of Allium information, believes that there is no such creature as A. tanguticum. He first thought the plants that I bought were A. senescens ssp. montanum and has since told me that the accepted nomenclature is now A. lusitanicum. However, you will still find quite a bit of information about this plant under A. tanguticum. Why should one care about all of this? The problem is that plants are sold under all three botanical names, and many are definitely not the ones I have. If you want to purchase my kind of lavender globe lily, look for a description that specifies late-summer blooming. For example. Lazy S’S Farm Nursery sells a plant similar to mine online, but it is listed as A. senescens. Thus, while lavender globe lily is an easy perennial, finding it is not. But now with the information here, you should have no trou- ble. You can keep yourself sane, if not cool, in the midst of August heat. 'A*' The Potting Shed n the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia where I live, lots of big old trees offer cool- ing shade but pose a challenge for garden- ers who crave sun. Nevertheless, two local artists have turned their shady properties into neighborhood gems. Eric Sternfels earned a first prize in the 2008 PHS City Gardens Contest. When 1 visited his garden on a drizzly day last May, purple camassia, celandine poppy, St. John’s wort, white azalea, and yellow-green creeping jenny brightened the small yard in front of his nineteenth-century millworker’s house. But the front garden was just a teaser. An alleyway alongside the house led to a back garden twice the length of most yards in the neighborhood. Trained as an architect but now focusing on sculpture and design, Sternfels said that when he moved in, the back space contained mostly ivy and lamiastrum along with a few trees and shrubs. One of his first projects was to re-lay a straight brick walkway that ran from the house to the back fence. By simply giving it a gentle curve, he turned it into an inviting garden path. “The bones of the garden were good,” Sternfels recalled. He began to add sweeps of plants and create interesting combinations, all on a shoestring budget. “1 started adding handoffs from friends, stuff they thought too aggressive like yellow ranunculus. If you catch the runners at the right time, you can control the spreading.” He inter-planted the ranunculus with a long sweep of yellow-leaf hosta, which he A Pair of CHARMING GARDENS in Mount Airy By Jane Carroll Photography by Margaret Funderburg & Eric Sternfels established over the years by dividing a clump grown from a single plant. Tall fronds of Solomon’s seal poked up between the leaves of another group of hosta. He matched a stunning leucothoe, an evergreen whose foliage emerges copper red, with rose-pink Heuchera ‘Georgia peach' and Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’. The City Gardens Contest prodded Sternfels to do more. “Having the judges come in late summer — when the garden might not look its best — forces you to improve things,” he said. After winning he used his $50 prize to keep on improving things: “I immediately went out and bought a GREEN SCENE • july/august 2010 9 The Potting Shed concrete bench that cost $49.87,” he said proudly. He placed it at the rear of the property as both a focal point and a place to sit and enjoy the view. Scattered throughout the garden are hanging sculptures Sternfels made from old watering cans picked up at flea markets. This habit of making good use of simple things has served Sternfels well. He’s created a prize- winning garden by mixing standard shade plants with a generous helping of ingenuity. On another shady plot a few blocks away, sculptor Syd Carpenter has transformed a small corner property into a wonderland of form, texture, and color. An emphasis on foliage makes this garden shine year-round. “It’s not just about blooms; it’s the leaves,” Carpenter said when I saw the garden last fall. “Basically I don’t bring a plant into the garden if it doesn’t have a leaf I can work with.’’ Even though her summer-blooming plants had begun to fade, the foliage continued to hold the design together. A ceramic artist who teaches at Swarthmore College, Carpenter draws inspiration from the Scott Arboretum on the Swarthmore campus. Not surprisingly for a sculptor, she loves branches. Consequently many trees and shrubs on the property have been “limbed up” — the lower branches pruned off to reveal the trunks. A Japanese maple twists gracefully skyward, two euonymous shrubs framing a walkway are pruned into tree form, and the upper branches of a trimmed beautyberry cascade over a sweep of variegated liriope. Carpenter likes to use large perennials as “anchor plants” and complement them with under-plantings. In early fall, a stand of Persicaria virginiana (mountain fleece) with tall spikes of magenta flowers anchored a central bed in the back garden. Around it stood mounds of hellebore, heuchera, daylilies, spirea, and hosta. One of Carpenter’s large ceramic pots sat under the leaves. Nearby, Rozanne geranium, lamium, and Japanese painted ferns grew beneath two rocket junipers. Carpenter’s husband, artist Steve Donegan, has adorned the garden with hanging bells that gently ring as they bounce up and down on coiled wire, but they don’t scare away the hummingbirds that visit a trumpet vine on the back fence in summer. Small as it is, the garden attracts a lot of wildlife, partly because Carpenter doesn’t use pesticides or chemical fertilizers. “I see toads, salamanders, and snakes, too,” she said. “It’s reassuring, because if they’re here, then I know it’s okay for me to be here.” She points out that chemicals migrate into the environment. “They end up in our water; they don’t just stop on your property line,” she said. She tolerates having a few plants “sampled” by insects, and if a plant starts to look really bad, she pulls it out and tries something else. To keep things interesting, Carpenter digs things up, moves them, and adds containers if necessary. “Because the garden is small I don’t have the luxury of creating a new bed, so I’m always changing things,” she explained. “The challenge for all of us is to orchestrate some- thing that’s constantly changing — not only day to day, but minute to minute.” 10 GREEN SCENE • july/august 2010 SHOW OFFYOUR SHUTTERBUG SKILLS! MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY for Gardeners and Nature Lovers The » iwniiat Guide to OtgtUl Tc O cr O 03 Q. A few years ago, Jonathan Wright, a horticulturist at Chanticleer in Wayne, PA, looked at a rather barren spot underneath a large oak tree near the pleasure garden’s entrance and decided he could do better. And he most certainly has. Under his careful tending, a patch of scraggly grass competing with oak tree roots has been transformed into an area filled with contrasting color and foliage from early spring to late fall. I first saw the garden on a hot, humid July day and was amazed at how charming this dry shady spot looked under such difficult circumstances. Jonathan explained that as one of the seven horticulturists at Chanticleer he is given almost free rein in designing and selecting plants for assigned garden areas. There’s one little catch: Jonathan, like the others, is personally responsi- ble for upkeep (and, yes, that does include hand weeding). As a result, he designed his new shade garden with minimal maintenance in mind. That did it. I had to learn more, and Jonathan obliged. Both height and color are driving forces behind this superb display. All plants are less than 2 feet tall and have either blue, purple, pink, lavender, or white flowers. Proven old-time favorites, as well as little known garden gems, are included in the plant palette. The bulbs, which bloom throughout spring, include bright blue Chionodoxa forbesii , deep blue Chionodoxa sardensis, and electric blue Scdla siberica. ‘Festival Blue’ hyacinths were planted right next to the meandering oak tree roots to create a stream of color in May. These last are new to me. They feature the incredible fragrance of the common garden hyacinths, but instead ot each bulb producing one thick cluster of flowers, it shoots up several stems forming loose flower sprays. Among the readily available perennials Jonathan chose for this area are snowdrop anemone (A. sylvestris), the extra fragrant ‘Sherwood Purple’ creeping phlox (7? stolonifem), Niveum epimedium, ‘Montrose Ruby’ heuchera, and ‘Golden Tiara’ hosta. The anemone is decked with satiny white nod- ding flowers in early spring. ‘Sherwood Purple’, which grows easily from cuttings (just bury a snippet in soil and mist well for a week or so), Story by Patricia A. Taylor GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 13 Gardening in Dry Shade forms a thick, green mat over the area. The epimedium features dainty white flowers in spring and has small, delicate leaves. 'Montrose Ruby’ is a wonderful plant. It has warm purple foliage throughout the growing season and won’t conk out in a year or two, as so many of the new heuchera introductions do. The mat-forming 'Golden Tiara’, with its greenish-yellow leaves, complements the heuchera foliage and sports bluish-purple flowers in July. New-to-me native perennials (and, alas, hard to find — but keep searching on the Internet) include the thin, grasslike sprays of 'Ivory Sedge’ (Carex eburned) and a small, white-flowered amsonia (A. montana f. alba). Well, with that explanation and list of plants, I no longer had an excuse for not doing anything with the bare, dry-shade spot on my property. And now, dear reader, neither do you. 'AJr Located at 786 Church Road in Wayne, PA, Chanticleer is open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. The garden is also open on Friday evenings until 8:00 pm through August. PHS members receive a special discount on admission. Learn more at Chanticleergarden.org. Plantings of Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' and Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple' Anemone sylvestris and Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood bloom beautifully together. 14 GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 if/L Tiarella cordifolia, Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple', and Anemone sylvestris provide flower color while the purple foliage of Heuchera 'Montrose Ruby' picks up on the rosy hues of Weigela florida 'Foliis Purpureis' in the neighboring bed. Nearby, the same Geranium and Heuchera tie the beds together while the dark foliage of ninebark ( Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diablo') and the white variegated willow ( Salix integra Albo Maculata') echo tha floral and foliar color scheme. ips for Becoming a Garden Expert Joe Lamp'l Shares Ideas for an Earth-Friendly Garden By Laura A. Brandt We all want to become greener gardeners, but it’s a journey. First, you need to educate yourself about gardening practices; be willing to forego old ways; listen to new ideas; and above all, have patience. Garden expert Joe Lamp’l has done all of these things and more as he tours the country this year listening to the stories of eco-friend- ly gardeners. As a garden writer, lecturer, and host of the new PBS TV series Growing a Greener World, which debuted in mid-May, Lamp’l promotes environmental stewardship principles to various audiences. This year, I attended his talk at the Philadelphia International Flower Show, where he demon- strated some of his favorite eco-friendly tools then gave them away to lucky winners. His second book, The Green Gardener’s Guide, further shows us how to incorporate green gardening principles. “As gardeners, environmental stewardship is our responsibility,” says Joe. “Many people don’t realize that their actions have a big impact on the environment. When we use ‘time-saving’ products and equipment in our gardens, we are often inadvertently polluting our waterways, soil, and air.” Most of us are familiar with the terms organic gardening, sustainability, green- or eco-gardening, but do we really understand the issues? Joe explains, “While many garden- ers want to be more environmentally responsi- ble, they can become confused. They may shop with good intentions of purchasing eco- friendly products, but then come home with the same old thing. Greener products don’t necessarily work in the same way or in the same amount of time as products gardeners are used to using.” Here are some simple steps to becoming a greener gardener. Also, visit Joe’s website, joegardener.com, for more tips. 16 GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 the Gardener’s Studio Welcome to 17 Going GREEN Linger at Longwood? Get it at Gateway. Gateway Garden Center gatewaygardens.com 7277 Lancaster Pike Hockessin, DE 19707 302-239-2727 REDUCE WATER USAGE. Gardeners can cut their water consumption in half by select- ing plants that are native to their area, because they are better adapted to local soil and moisture conditions. By planting a variety of native species, you can create a diverse habitat that provides pollen, nectar, and shelter that beneficial insects need to thrive. Placing a rain barrel beneath a downspout is an easy way to collect gallons of water every time it rains. “Why use potable water for your garden when you can easily collect rain- water?” asks Joe. “At my house I have a barrel under every downspout. Some people connect two or more rain barrels in a series to satisfy their watering needs.” For a 100- square-foot garden, you’ll need about 50 gallons available. You can find a variety of new and recycled barrels listed online. Be sure to purchase a “food grade” barrel that has not contained caustic chemicals. REDUCE HARMFUL CHEMICALS TO PROTECT OUR WATER. Of 30 common- ly used lawn pesticides, 16 are toxic to birds, 24 are toxic to fish and aquatic organisms, and 1 1 are toxic to bees, according to The Green Gardener’s Guide. Suburban lawns and gardens use about two and a half times more pesticides per acre on average than commer- cial agriculture does. Joe advocates handpick- ing some of the annoying garden pests. “In our quest for the picture-perfect instant garden, it’s too easy to reach for a spray bottle of chemicals,” Joe says. “Many pest insects have built up a tolerance to some of the chemicals we’ve been using for years. You’ll just be killing beneficial insects and decreasing the amount of food available to birds and other wildlife.” GROW THE RIGHT PLANT IN THE RIGHT PLACE. When grown in the right place, plants will thrive. “When plants are in an ideal location, they’ll be naturally more pest and disease resistant because they won’t be under stress,” says Joe. Plants that prefer shade will quickly become stressed in full sun, and those that like wet soil will not be happy in dry areas. As 18 GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 Taking it Over the Fence So you're already an eco-conscious gardener? Consider going the extra mile to get others on board: • Request that your local nursery or gar- den center carry eco-friendly products. • Start an eco-friendly garden in your community as an example to others. • Talk to your neighbors about "green garden- ing" when they admire your yard. • Get involved in tree preservation and planting in your neighborhood. • Get involved in local bird habitat programs. • Certify your yard as a wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. Source: The Green Gardener's Guide: Simple, Significant Actions to Protect & Preserve Our Planet, Joe Lamp'l, 2007. we try to fix our droopy plants with extra fertilizer, pesticides, or water, we are only harming the environment. You can find help- ful cultural information on plant tags, at gar- den centers with knowledgeable staff, or online. USE COMPOST AND MULCH. Adding compost and mulch to your garden will go a long way toward creating a greener garden. “For every item that you throw in the com- post pile, that’s one less for the landfill,” notes Joe. Yard trimmings account for about 13 percent by weight of the total solid waste generated in the United States, which is 32 million tons every year. Mulch keeps soil cooler and protects it from the drying effects of sun, heat, and wind. Apply a 2-inch layer around your plants. “II you use bagged mulch, make sure it’s certified by the Mulch & Soil Council ( mulchandsoilcouncil.org ) as free from chemical wood preservatives,” adds Joe. A GREENER WORLD Through his Growing a Greener World'YW show and through online social-media blasts, Rain barrels are an easy way to save money. conserve water, and give your plants a drink. Going GREEN ■AN&CRAl f®P ARCHWAYS TOWERS PAVILIONS BENCHES The^j Painted Garden. Inc. (215) 884-7378 WWW.THEPAINTEDGARDENINC.COM RAILS 304 EDGE HILL ROAD, GLENSIDE, PA 19038 SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT Joe hopes to reach a broader audience, including generations X and Y. Says Joe, “The show features people, places, and organizations doing good things for the plan- et, with an emphasis on eco-friendly flower and vegetable gardening. We’ll also show people how to harvest, cook, and enjoy what they grow.” The new show features gardens and public spaces around the country, including in the Greater Philadelphia Region. In the pilot show, Joe and his crew visited Greensgrow Farms, a sustainable urban farm and nursery in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. He also visited Emmaus to interview Maria Rodale and her daughter Maya. “Don’t be afraid to take that first step into gardening or sustainability, and don’t feel that your efforts won’t matter,” Joe says. “Even a journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step, and it’s the collective efforts of all that really will make a difference.” Laura Brandt is a garden writer and landscape consultant who writes about sustainable gardening and lives in Bucks County. Retirement living at Beaumont comes with many assets. Residents own their own apartments or villas; a valuable asset which can be sold in the future. An active continuing care retirement community Exceptional assisted living and skilled nursing care if needed Resident-owned, resident-governed, internally-managed Elegant, comfortable setting Residents are warm and welcoming Outstanding recreational opportunities We invite you to take a tour, come to an event and see selected apartments and villas at appealing prices and affordable monthly fees ’T/ AT BRYN MAWR A CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 601 N. Ithan Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-1797 610-526-7000 I beaumontretirement.com ■sssss? 20 GREEN SCENE • july/ august 201 0 Current APS Memoirs Peter Collinson and the Eighteenth- Century Natural History Exchange Jean O'Neill and Elizabeth P. McLean Vol. 264 - $75.00 • Cloth ISBN: 978-0-87169-264-1 Peter Collinson's life is a microcosm of eighteenth-century natural history. A London Quaker, a draper by trade, and a passionate gardener and naturalist by avocation, Collinson was what we would now call a facilitator in natural sci- ence, disseminating botanical and horti- cultural knowledge during the Enlightenment. He influenced men such as Comte de ESuffon and Linnaeus. He found clients for the Philadelphia Quaker farmer and naturalist, John Bartram, at a time when the English landscape was evolving to emphasize trees and shrubs. In this monograph, Collinson "speaks to the reader in a dis- tinct voice. POLAR HAYES: The Life and Contributions of Isaac Israel Hayes, M.D. Douglas W.WamsIey Vol. 262 - $75.00 • Cloth ISBN: 978-0-87169-262-7 As a member of the harrowing American Arctic expedition under the command of Dr. Elisha Kent Kane in search of the lost British explorer Sir John Franklin, Isaac Israel Hayes became obsessed with making his own mark in the far northern polar regions. He organized his own privately funded voyage to the Arctic in 1860, during which he claimed to have reached a 'farthest north' and to have stood on the edge of the fabled "Open Polar Sea," a mythical ice-free zone in the high northern latitudes. Polar Hayes brings to light the com- plete story of an immensely talented individual. Drawing upon Hayes family papers, little-viewed diaries from Hayes's own expeditions, and unpub- lished primary sources, Polar Hayes is the story of a remarkable but forgotten explorer, writer, politician, and humani- tarian. JUST ARRIVED Patriot-Improvers, Volume III Whitfield J. Bell and Charles Griefenstein Vol. 228 - $60.00 • Cloth ISBN: 978-0-87169-228-3 The long-anticipated third volume of Patriot-Improvers brings to an end the important work of Dr. Whitfield J. Bell to put together biographical sketches of early members of the American Philosophical Society. Work on this third volume was completed by APS Librarian Charles Greifenstein after the death of Dr. Bell in early 2009. The three-volume set is a wor- thy testament to a much loved member of the APS and a handsome addition to book- shelves. Volume One (1997) - $40 Volume Two (1999) -- $40 Volume Three (2010) - $60 Three-volume set - $125 Current APS Transactions Playing with Fire: Histories of the Lightning Rod Peter Heering, Oliver Hochadel, David J. Rhees (editors) Vol. 99, Pt. 5 - $35.00 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-995-5 In 2002 the world commemorated the 250th anniversary of the invention of the lightning rod. In 2006 the tercentenary of the birth of its inventor, Benjamin Franklin, was celebrated. In spite of this attention, the development and adoption of the light- ning rod remain poorly understood. Playing with Fire reveals the complex his- tories of the lightning rod in a multidiscipli- nary and multifaceted manner. To reflect on the development of the "Franklin rod" is to understand how science and technol- ogy have entered our world and changed it in profound ways. Magnetic Fever: Global Imperialism and Empiricism in the Nineteenth Century Christopher Carter Vol. 99, Pt. 4 - $35.00 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-994-8 Magnetic Fever explores the links between science and empire in the 19th century, focusing on the mutual interac- tions of British imperialism and geophysi- cal empiricism. Science was becoming global, in part due to European colonial and imperial expansion. Both the scientific theories and the geopolitical realities played a role in creating the tool for studying global science still in use today Choosing Selection: The Revival of Natural Selection in Anglo- American Evolutionary Biology, 1930-1970 Stephen G. Brush Vol. 99, Pt. 3 - $35 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-993-1 2009 J. F. LEWIS AWARD WINNER Choosing Selection describes the establishment of the hypothesis that Charles Darwin's natural selection is the primary or exclusive mechanism for biological evolution. During the 1930s, alternatives such as Lamarchism, macromutations, and orthogenesis were rejected in favor of natural selec- tion acting on small mutations, but there was disagreement about the role of random genetic drift in evolution. By the 1950s, research by T Dobzhansky, E. B. Ford, and others persuaded lead- ing evolutionists that natural selection was so powerful that drift was generally unimportant. THE MOST IMPORTANT CLOCK IN AMERICA The David Rittenhouse Astronomical Musical Clock at Drexel University Ronald R. Hoppes Vol. 99, Pt. 2 - $35 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-992-4 Ronald Hoppes always admired the David Rittenhouse astronomical musical clock and over the years he found historical accounts on the clock, but discovered that information on the indications and the mechanical details were absent. During the clock's restoration he had the opportu- nity to examine the movement and list detailed descriptions for each of the clock's various indications and operations. With this book, it is ensured that the clock's mechanical details, previously undocumented and unavailable, will not be lost or forgotten. Descended From Darwin: Insights into the History of Evolutionary Studies, 1900-1970 Joe Cain and Michael Ruse (editors) Vol. 99, Pt. 1 - $35 - Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-991-7 This volume arises from a symposium held in Philadelphia in October 2004. Scholars convened to focus on the "synthesis" period in evolutionary stud- ies, when fundamental changes occurred in the discipline. How does recent scholarship change our under- standing of the period? How does it alter our sense of connection across the gen- erations? How do activities in evolution- ary studies relate with developments elsewhere in biology? The papers pre- sented at the conference both informed an assessment of the state of the histo- ry of evolutionary studies and pressed it forward with new and thoughtful scholar- ship. Collectively, the papers selected for inclusion in the book make a significant, and occasionally provocative, contribu- tion to their field. The Long Route to the Invention of the Telescope Rolf Willach Vol. 98, Pt. 5 - $35 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-985-6 The Invention of the Telescope Albert van Helden Vol. 67, Pt. 4 - $30 • Paper Original print date 1977; reprinted 2008 ISBN-10: 0-87169-674-6 ISBN-13: 978-0-87169-674-8 Sophie de Grouchy, Letters on Sympathy (1798): A Critical Edition Karin Brown Letters translated by James E. McClellan III Vol. 98, Pt. 4 - $35 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-984-9 Raising Kane: The Construction of Dr. Kane, Hero of the Romantic Age Mark Metzger Sawin Vol. 98, Pt. 3 - S 35.00 • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-983-2 Franz Boas and W. E. B. Du Bois at Atlanta University, 1906 Rosemary Levy Zumwalt Vol. 98, Pt. 2 - S35 • Paper ISBN: 978-0-87169-982-4 2008 J.F. LEWIS AWARD WINNER Alhacen on Image-Formation and Distortion in Mirrors: A Critical Edition, with English Translation and Commentary, of Book 6 of Alhacen s De Aspectibus, the Medieval Latin Version of Ibn al-Haythams Kitab al-Manazir A. Mark Smith Vol. 98, Pt. 1 - S29 each; S42 set • Paper ISBN: 978-1-60618-981-8 Lightning Rod Press Titles THE CHINDALI LANGUAGE OF MALAWI - 3 volumes - $100.00 for set Volume 1 - A Chindali and English Dictionary, with an Index to Proto-Bantu Boots Robert Botne, in collaboration with Loveness Schafer ISBN: 978-1-60618-909-2 LIGHTNING ROD PRESS, NUMBER 1 $45.00 • Paper Volume 2 - A Grammatical Sketch of Chindali, Malawian Variety Robert Botne ISBN: 978-1-60618-910-8 LIGHTNING ROD PRESS, NUMBER 2 $35.00 • Paper Volume 3 - Narratives of Chindali Life and Culture Compiled and analyzed by Robert Botne, in collaboration with Loveness Schafer ISBN: 978-1-60618-911-5 LIGHTNING ROD PRESS, NUMBER 3 S40.00 • Paper "TO DO JUSTICE TO HIM & MYSELF": Evert Wendell's Account Book of the Fur Trade with Indians in Albany, New York, 1695-1726 Edited and Translated by Kees-Jan Waterman with linguistic information by Gunther Michelson ISBN: 978-1-60618-912-2 LIGHTNING ROD PRESS. NUMBER 4 $50.00 • Paper BOOK ORDERS: Please contact our fulfillment service— Diane Publishing Co., PO. Box 617, Darby, PA 19023 (phone 800-782-3833; fax 610-461-6130). Online orders may be sent to orders@dianepublishing.net See our website for recent catalogs and backlist: www.aps-pub.com American Philosophical Society 104 South Fifth Street • Philadelphia, PA 19106-3387 • (Tel) 215-440-3425 • (Fax) 215-440-3450 GROWING A HABITAT GARDEN he words “wildlife habitat” may conjure of vast I up images forests or murky marshes buzzing with activity, but a habitat can be as simple and small as a backyard garden. Take, for instance, the home of Susan and Bernard Cooker of Willistown, PA. A brick-and- stone suburban home set among a good bit of trees, this property hosts not just a human family, but those of rodents, reptiles, birds, and 22 By Daniel Moise Moss pink ( Phlox subulata ) provides color in mid-spring. “It’s been in the last seven years that we’ve really embraced this new way of looking at gardening,” Bernard says. “You have your house and that’s yours to enjoy. But every- thing that surrounds it is an opportunity to restore nature and welcome back native plants and animals.” Nearly every plant now found at the Cooker home is native to the region. Most impressive are the gray dogwoods ( Cornus racemosa)\ elderberry ( Sambucus sp.); choke- berry {Aronia sp.); and Hercules’ club ( Arnlia spinosa), also known as devil’s walking stick. Susan is certainly knowledgeable about her leafy friends; she points out an eastern red cedar {Juniperus virginiana ) and says that “54 species of songbird will eat from that tree.” Reintroducing so many natives has made the garden popular among the local animals. In addition to a resurgence of birds, Susan and Bernard have spotted less-common critters like voles, salamanders, and red squirrels. Even the everyday chipmunk wasn’t seen scurrying about the property until three years ago. Of course randomly plopping down natives isn’t going to usher in such a menagerie automatically. The Cookers strategically selected plants that would appeal to certain kinds of wildlife. Perhaps most surprising is the vines and crisscrossed sticks that make the “snakearium” {-arium, a suffix denoting a place or container, and snake ... well, that doesn’t require a definition). Although people become quite squeamish on this subject, Susan demurs, “Snakes serve a purpose, too.” This open-armed approach toward animals makes the Cookers one of nearly 150,000 landowners across the country certified by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). The criteria for creating a wildlife habitat include providing animals with food and water sources, plants that can be used for cover, and places to raise young (such as dense shrubs or vegetation). The NWF also GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 23 RESOURCES Willistown Conservation Trust wctrust.org National Wildlife Federation nwf.org Habitat Resources of Southeastern PA habitatresourcenetwork. org requires that certified habitats are maintained with sustain- able gardening practices. The Cookers are also registered with the Willistown Conservation Trust, an organization that promotes land protection and stewardship among property owners in the Chester County town and its surroundings. While continuing to make their property increasingly eco-friendly (their garage, for instance, has solar panels on the roof and rain barrels along the back), the Cookers enjoy sharing the message of conservation with others. Susan often imparts her knowledge to garden clubs and occasionally acts as a consultant to homeowners interested in becoming a bit greener. The long-term goal — one that causes Susan and Bernard’s eyes to light up when they discuss it — is to convert their barn into an interactive classroom. There they could share with interested adults and, perhaps, students from the school across the street, the merits of native plants and the importance of protecting wildlife. In short, Susan would offer this advice to anyone thinking about making their property a wildlife habitat: “Pick a spot and put in some plants, a bush or two, and a tree. Consider species that bear berries, as they usually attract animals. Of course a feeder works well, too. If possible, install some sort of water element. Last, but not least, add a bench so you can sit and enjoy the space you’ve created.” Bernard adds, “Even someone living in a condominium can pitch in by placing a birdhouse in a tree or a few native plants on the patio. Conservation is something everyone can participate in.” Susan chimes in, “If you build it, they will come.” The Barnes Foundation Arboretum School In 1940, Laura Barnes established the Arboretum school to provide students of horticulture, botany, and landscape architecture the opportunity to work under professional guidance. The Barnes Foundation carries on the tradition today offering a three-year program in ornamental horticulture which offers a comprehensive curriculum of botany, plant propagation, practical horticulture techniques, and landscape design. The curriculum develops skilled horticulturalists through a combination of classroom lecture, self-directed learning, and hands-on practice. The Foundation also offers one and two-day workshops during the summer. Open enrollment for 2010 classes and workshops. For information and registration: www.barnesfoundation.org or call 610-667-0290 ext.3825 The Barnes Foundation | 300 North Latch’s Lane, Merion, Pennsylvania 19066 FINE GARDEN CREATIONS , INC. ^ Landscape and Garden Design and Installations info@finegardencreations.com • www.finegardencreations.com Tel: 610-338-0630 • Fax: 610-328-4850 • PA 013202 GREEN SCENE • july/august 2010 25 ! HEUCHERA :l TIARELLA COLORFUL NATIVES FOR YOUR GARDEN * "F ew perennials have undergone as dramatic a makeover as Heuchera (coral bells), Tiarella (loam flowers), and their offspring, the Heucherella (foamy bells),” says Dan Heims. Dan is head of Terra Nova Nurseries, a renowned wholesale establishment specializing in choice perennials. “Drawn irom species with small white flowers and unremarkable foliage, these native woodlan- ders and crevice dwellers are now among the world’s most popular nursery plants,” he says. Thanks to avid hybridizers like Heims, today’s Heuchera come in a stunning array of leaf colors, shapes, sizes, and textures, making them striking as groundcovers, in borders, containers, and floral arrangements and adding new design possibilities for most of the year. Formerly, few of the 70-plus species and sub-species, all North American and Mexican natives, were grown as ornamentals. Alumroot, the original common name for Heuchera, was for centuries used medicinally for a myriad of ailments, from tuberculosis to dysentery. The root can be sub- stituted for alum (aluminum sul- By llene Sternberg fate), a mordant used to fix colors when dying fabric. According to Heims, in deference to their namesake, Johann Heinrich von Heucher (1677-1747), the proper pronunciation should be “ HOY- ker-uh .” (Here’s your chance to out- snoot your Latin- literate friends.) Depending on their respective origins, some coral bells do better in shade, others in sun. I grow most in direct sunlight, including shiny, almost black ‘Obsidian’; dark, pink- freckled 'Midnight Rose’; and swarthy ‘Mocha’. Check the label of your purchased cultivar for recom- mended siting. Favoring rich, well-drained soils with pH of 5.8 to 6.3 and cool night temperatures, Heuchera are remarkably forgiv- ing and drought tolerant once established. Heuchera are evergreen in all but the most severe climates; in our area the foliage deteri- orates as winter progresses, and plants some- times heave out of the ground. Most crucial, never cover their crowns with soil or mulch. (You’d die, too, if someone buried your face.) If the stems become woody, the plant goes bald at the center, or flowering diminishes, divide and replant them, preferably in spring. 26 GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 27 GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 Thanks to avid hybridizers like Heims, today's Heuchera come in a stunning array of leaf colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. Flowers are light and airy variations of white, pink, coral, lilac, or red. They are showy in some cases and inconsequential in others, compared to the lovely leaves. Heuchera cultivar names are as delectable as their leaf variation. Who can resist plants dubbed ‘Peach Flambe’, ‘Caramel’, ‘Marmalade’, ‘Creme Brulee’, ‘Plum Pudding’, ‘Mint Julep’, ‘Key Lime Pie’, ‘Champagne Bubbles’, ‘Berry Smoothie’, and — heaven help us — ’Chocolate Ruffles’. (Thank goodness that isn’t ‘Truffles’ or I'd be chomping my way across the garden right now.) Still more enticing are those that change color as the seasons progress: ‘Georgia Peach’ matures from rose in spring to red-violet in summer, then deep amber in winter; ‘Southern Comfort’ from orangeade with hot pink undersides to copper; ‘Tiramisu from yellow to chartreuse with a predominant rosy central blotch and lime-green veins; ‘Miracle’ starts pale yellow, turning brick red with a bright gold edge and silvered undersides by fall; and ‘Electra’ from red-veined yellow spring leaves to chartreuse in summer and fall, then tan in winter. In his book, Heucheras and Heucherellas ( limber Press, 2005, $27.95), and on his Website ( terranovanurseries.com ), Heims suggests numerous companion plants and shows how to use them in floral arrangements, woodland or dry gardens, and even in the winter garden. (Of course, Heims lives in Oregon, where snowblower is rarely spoken.) 28 GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 Going GREEN Best of all incentives to create a Heuchera, Tiarella, and Heucherella tapestry is the fact that dee notorious garden vandals seem completely indifferent to their charms. As for foamflowers, Tiarella cordifolia cultivars are widely used as shade-loving, drought-tolerant, spreading groundcovers. Many are clumping, non-running types, such as T. wherryi ‘Skids Variegated’, an eye- catching plant with brick-tinted foliage that surprisingly presents speckled cream-colored leaves when its frothy pinkish flowers appear. Although too high-minded to do so by their own devices, Tiarella and Heuchera were first crossbred in 1912. The result and subse- quent intergeneric crosses have produced interesting plants, Heucherella, with blended characteristics of both parents. They’re not stoloniferous; prefer morning sun and after- noon shade; and, being sterile, are prolific repeat bloomers. ‘Stoplight’ has deep red hearts on Day-Glo yellow leaves — great for illuminating a shadowy path. Newcomer ‘Sweet Tea’ boasts large, deeply-lobed russet leaves that retain their intense coloration 30 GREEN SCENE • july/august 2010 %bits, slugs, and other Chris Brown Photography through summer heat and humidity. Best of all incentives to create a Heuchera , Tiarella, and Heucherella tapestry is the fact that deer, rabbits, slugs, and other notorious garden vandals seem completely indifferent to their charms. They’ll head straight for your hostas instead. r - Your garden is your sanctuary... come to Mostardi's for distinctive plants, expertise t*rf and inspiration # MOSTARDI 4033 West Chester Pike (Rte 3), Newtown Square, PA 19073 610-356-8035 • www.mostardi.com Unprecedented Experience Personal Service Exceptional Quality It's The McFarland Way! 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 Tree & Landscape Services GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 31 The EDIBLE GARDEN When someone says “edible garden,” do you think lettuce and tomatoes? Why limit yourself to traditional edibles when you can plant a garden that is ornamental and delicious? In today’s small gardens, plants that do double duty are especially valuable. Consider these perennially tasty beauties and you’ll never think of edible gardening in the same way again. Asarum canadense (wild ginger) is primarily known for its demure, heart shaped foliage that grows as a groundcover in shady woodlands throughout the eastern United States. Not as showy as its European cousin (A. europaenm), , its leaves are a bright, medium § / ’ ' green with a matte finish and soft texture. Pinkish, tubu- lar flowers grow at soil level, only visible when the exploratory gardener pushes aside the leaves. A. canadense isn’t relat- ed to tropical ginger, but its aromatic stolons can be used the same way you’d use By Ellen Zachos The hopniss flower is not only wildly gorgeous, but also has an exceptional perfume. supermarket ginger. To harvest, gently dig up a clump in late fall and sever the stolons that connect the plant to its neighbors, then replant the original clump. The stolons can be used fresh or dried, and the taste is spicy and addictive. Amelanchier canadensis (serviceberry) is native to Pennsylvania and worth planting for its good looks alone. Delicate, bright white flowers precede foliage, lighting up the early spring garden. Then there’s the exceptional orange-pink fall foliage and striated gray bark, which stands out nicely against winter snow. Serviceberry grows to be 20 to 30 feet tall in the landscape or about 12 to 15 feet in containers. This tree tolerates a wide range of soils and light conditions but blooms best in sun to part-shade. Sold? I’ve saved the best for last. Its succulent berries (slightly larger than blueberries) are delicious in pies, jams, jellies, or out of hand. Berries start out red and ripen to a purple blue; they taste like a straw-blueberry with a touch of almond thrown in. This is a lour- season plant that feeds the body as well as the gardener’s soul. Matteuccia struthiopteris (ostrich fern) gives us the gourmet fiddle- head. A native woodland treasure and a familiar ornamental in shade gardens, this is also a traditional spring edible. Not all fern fiddleheads are tasty, but this one is sweet and crunchy. Harvest a few furled 1 fiddleheads from each fern (being sure to leave at least half the fronds behind to unfurl), rub off the brownish papery scales, then wash. Fiddleheads can be eaten raw in salads, or steamed and served like aspara- gus. Since some wild populations are threat- ened or endangered in GREEN SCENE • july/august 2010 33 Going GREEN ... • / - / V >. •V ^">v' These young hopniss tubers don't even need peeling; tubers larger than a ping pong ball will have tougher skins that should be removed. -mi.* * if ¥ Jmm n V ^ the Northeast, why not plant a crop of your own? Other ferns, like the ultra-furry Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern), are hard to clean and bitter, so be sure you plant the tasty species. Apios americana (hopniss, potato bean, groundnut) is an underappreciated vine that grows best in full sun and blooms profusely in August. Its leaves resemble those of wisteria, and its flowers are intensely fragrant and visually compelling: round clusters of bi-colored blooms that would make Georgia O’Keefe smile. Since the edible part of this plant is the tuber, and since the tubers form chains connected by subterranean rhizomes, it’s possible to harvest multiple tubers (in fall) Feeling Adventurous? Podophyllum peltatum (mayapple) is a shade perennial, native to the woods of the eastern United States. And yes, you may have heard that it's poisonous. Which it is, except for the ripe fruit, which is sweet, pulpy, and complex, tasting like a combination of banana, guava, and passion fruit. The fact that the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers are poisonous can work to your advantage, however: deer won't touch mayapple in your garden. Its large (8- to 10-inch diameter) palmate leaves are held horizontally, and mature plants produce a single, luminous, white flower in the V formed by the plant's two leaf petioles. Ripe fruit is the size of a small plum, and is squishy soft when ready to be eaten, often just before the plants go dormant in July or August. Scoop the fragrant pulp from the skin, then remove the numerous seeds (pulp = good, skin & seeds = bad/poisonous) and use the pulp as a pie filling or for sorbet. -E.Z. Photo: Jeannette li FLOWER POWER Lost Gardens of the Brandywine Exhibition Now through July 25 Through rare early color images and garden relics, explore the private historic gardens of the Brandywine Valley hidden gems of fleeting beauty, many of which have been lost to time. Included with admission. Members free. What’s in Bloom? Summer is the perfect time to stroll our world-renowned garden. Stroll shaded paths, enjoy beautiful vistas, and savor the cool retreat of Winterthur’s Glade Garden. To discover what’s in bloom, visit gardenblog.winterthur.org or call 302.888.4856. Included with admission. Members free. Dig Deeper into the Garden! Can’t get enough of the garden? Then come inside! Our Flower Power exhibition explores H. F. du Pont’s floral-arranging prowess. Join our expert horticulture staff for Wednesdays at Winterthur and Second Saturdays Garden Walks w alks and talks covering a wide range of gardening topics. For complete details, visit winterthur.org. Winterthur is nestled in Delaware’s beautiful Brandywine Valley on Route 52, between 1-95 and Route I. 800.448.3883 • 302.888.4600 • winterthur.org GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 35 Going GREEN from each clump without sacrificing the vine. Wash and peel the tubers (average size similar to a ping-pong ball), then bake, roast, boil, or slice and fry like potatoes. The nutty taste is unique and deli- cious. In southern climes A. americana also produces edi- ble beans (it is a legume, after all) but up here in PA the sea- son isn’t long enough. (P.S. this vine grows happily in containers.) Did you ever think you’d eat a viburnum? Viburnum trilobum (high bush cranber- ry) is not only a garden- worthy flowering shrub with vibrant red fall foliage, but its berries are tart and tasty. The white flowers ol V trilobum are borne in flat cymes of small fertile flowers sur- rounded by larger, sterile flowers, like those of lacecap hydrangeas. The berries will definitely make you pucker up and each has a large seed, so this isn’t a pick-and-eat snack. V. trilobum fruit is high in pectin and makes excellent jam or jelly. While many viburnum species produce showy berries, they’re not all equally deli- cious, so be sure to try V trilobum or you may be disappointed. Pick the fiddleheads of Matteucia struthiopteris when still tightly curled and only a few inches tall. 36 GREEN SCENE • july/august 2010 PLANTS lispoma improve Moisture Retention • Reduce Drought Strrss Promote Root Growth • Grow Hip Beautiful Plants For All Indoor & Outdoor Containers www.espoma.com THE WORKDAY Workday volunteers often become long-term stewards of community spaces. By Daniel Moise Anyone involved with a community garden or park knows that continual upkeep is essential for long-term success. However, it’s hard to argue with the immediate results that can come from a well-promoted, well-attended workday. By concentrating a community’s energy on one day of dramatic transformation, you can reach new people and make major physical improvements. Planning Ahead Those planning the workday should meet at least a month beforehand to start preparing. From the onset it’s imperative to involve the city or landowner to get the “green light" to proceed. Once done, discuss and determine with your group exactly what you hope to accomplish — the larger the event, the more planning required. Set the date and get to work. Think about how many volunteers you’d like to have, how you're going to generate enthusiasm for the day, and what tools and supplies you'll need. The devil is in the details, so think things through. 38 GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 Don’t underestimate the importance of refreshments. A cup of coffee or a piece of fruit can go a long way in making volunteers feel welcome and cared for. Always have an abundance of drinking water available, especially on hot summer days. While we’re on the topic of water, it is crucial for planting days. Contact the landowner and ask about gaining access to a fire hydrant or other water source. You should also contact local officials regarding trash removal, locating utility lines, and reserving parking if possible. During the workday people may need to use the restroom. If your public space doesn’t have a permanent facility, consider renting portable toilets. If members of your planning team live adjacent to the project site, perhaps they’ll agree to make their bathrooms available. Make a List; Check it Twice Contact your department of recreation or park department to see if you can borrow tools for the day. If the tools belong to you or your planning team, mark the tool handles in a bright color or with tape labels so they are easier to find. It’s good to keep a log of who supplied what. At the end of the day have at least one person make rounds to ensure that all tools are picked up. Other must-haves include a first-aid kit, nametags, hand sanitizer, bug repellent, and an endless supply of trash bags. You’ll also want to reach out to volunteers beforehand to suggest sturdy shoes and sunscreen. Most importantly, each volunteer should bring a pair of work gloves, but have a few on hand for those who will inevitably forget. The Big Day Greet each volunteer with a smile and a sign-in sheet. These people could be future stewards of your project, so collect contact information such as phone numbers and email addresses. Once everyone is assembled, divide them into small teams. Each team should have a leader, but more importantly, there should be someone who supervises the entire event — maybe you! This person’s sole responsibility is to stay on schedule and keep people happy and busy. Safety should always be the top priority. It’s strongly advised that power tools are not used for workdays, but if you must, choose your operators with great care (and experience), conduct a safety seminar first, and have goggles available. Let people (especially chil- dren) know what should not be picked up by hand when collecting trash: syringes, broken glass, etc. Also let the volunteers know of any poisonous plants, such as poison ivy, that may be lurking. At some point, likely at the beginning or end of the day, gather the group together and recognize everyone’s contributions; this is not only a recruitment pitch, but it makes the volunteers feel connected to the work. Keep tallies on what’s accomplished. In the future, if you’re looking to attract sponsors or leverage resources, it helps to have hard data to support your claims. Make sure to desig- nate a photographer too. Get pictures of peo- ple as well as the park or garden. Remember to take pictures before any large improvement projects. After completion, take photos again — preferably from the same vantage point — to show the progress. These photos can be used in flyers or online to promote future workdays. What better way to show off your beautiful space and remember all the fun you had making it look its best? Workday Sponsorship If your park or garden doesn't have an long- term partner, perhaps a local business would agree to sponsor a workday. Whether the business donates funding, the manpower of employees, or snacks, make sure the contribu- tion is recognized. Identify the corporate contact person and provide him or her with what's needed to make the workday a success. Both the park/garden and the business benefit from good press, so get in touch with local news outlets and see if you can find an inexpensive way to get signs and T-shirts printed. GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 39 GREEN SCENE GARDEN PHOTO CONTEST OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES Classified Ads WHO MAY ENTER • Amateur photographers (those who earn less than 1/4 of their annual income from photography) age 18 and older. • Employees of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and its affiliates are not eligible. SUBMISSIONS • Photographers may only enter images as 4 x 6-inch or 5 x 7-inch prints, either in color or black-and-white. • To be considered complete a submission must include a filled out entrance form (see page 11) and entrance payment. • IMPORTANT: On the back of each image, you must write your name, address, email and/or phone. Optional: You may also include technical information about the photo- graph (camera type, f-stop, speed, film type, etc.), as well as background information. • If you'd like your images returned, please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with your submission. • Original images may be shot on print film, slides, or digital cameras, but all submissions must be 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, 2007). • Photos may eventually be mounted on cardboard if we choose to display them. • Photos that violate or infringe upon another photographer's copyright are not eligible for entry. • The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is not responsible for loss of or damage to any photographs submitted for the contest. ENTRY FEES • Photographers may enter 1 photo for a fee of $15; 2 to 5 photos for a fee of $25; or 6 to 10 photos for a fee of $40. Fees are non-refundable. PRIZES 1st Kodak EasyShare C180 Digital Camera 2nd Two great photography books: The Art of Garden Photography and Macro Photography for Gardeners & Nature Lovers 3rd $25 gift certificate to Meadowbrook Farm in Abington Township, PA ( meadowbrookfarm.org ) The three winning images and 10 Honorable Mention recipients will be featured in the January/February 2011 issue of Green Scene. IMPORTANT DATES • All entries must be postmarked by September 18, 2010. • All winners will be notified by November 16, 2010. For more information: For more information, please email greenscene@pennhort.org for fastest response. You can also call 215-988-8871. FLORISTS Sustainable Event Decorating garden arrangements can be planted weddings, parties, holidays corporate-private www.urbanbotanical.com Helen@urbanbotanical.com 215-438-7533 GARDEN STRUCTURES GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Custom Aluminum or Wood 35 Years’ Experience Call Robert J. LaRouche at Glass Enclosures Unlimited 610-687-2444 GREEN TECHNOLOGIES Rainwater Harvesting Systems Capture • Filter • Reuse Please visit our website to learn more www.YourPond.com Cedar Run Landscapes 1 -800-Landscape HARDSCAPING HERITAGE STONE & MARBLE We are an installation and restoration company who emphasizes long lasting quality with outstanding craftsmanship. FLAGSTONE, BRICK-patios and walkways, COBBLESTONE-edging and paving, STONE walls, RETAINING walls, MARBLE, GRANITE-floors, walls, countertops. 21 5-699-561 1 Upper Gwynedd, PA 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 40 GREEN SCENE • july/august 2010 LANDSCAPE DESIGN BURKE BROTHERS LANDSCAPE DESIGN/BUILD Nationally-recognized designs. Experienced staff ensures the integrity of the design from concept to completion. burkebrothers.com .-887-1773 610-520-2025 David Brothers Landscape Services Bean Road Nursery Architects, Builders and Nurserymen Providing the Fine Art of Garden Construction and Landscape Restoration 115-247-2992 610-584-1550 www.davidbrothers.com LINDA CORSON LANDSCAPE DESIGN • Consulting • Plans • Supervision Registered Landscape Architect Member AS LA 215-247-5619 Go Out on a Limb at Morris Arboretum Open weekdays 10am -4pm ✓jS&v weekends unul 5pm 215 247 5777 ^Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania www.morrisarboretum .org MULCH BALED PINE NEEDLE MULCH Pick up/Delivery/Spreading service Cedar Run Landscapes Call for brochure 1 -800-LANDSCAPE www. CedarRunLandscapes. com FLOWERS AND MORE, INC. Garden Design, Installation & Maintenance PINE-NEEDLE MULCH Wholesale and Retail 610-701-9283 renee52@comcast.net NURSERIES 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 Flowering Plants For The Home & Garden POPES’ GARDENS 1146 Old White Horse Pike, Waterford, NJ (856) 767-3343 Come Visit Us We’re Worth The Trip! 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 TREES Tree Transfers Inc. Large Tree Transplanting and Sales Large Screening & Specimen Plant Material 215-635-2310 Serving the Delaware Valley since 1987 GREEN SCENE • july/august 201 0 41 I "In many urban neighborhoods, it's I much easier to find I a fast-food restaurant than CD ! a supermarket." - Claire Baker, PHS Program Manager ha greenhouse at Weavers Way Farm in northwest Philadelphia, trays of seedlings take up every inch of available space. There are tiny lettuces of all colors, as well as carrots, beets, collards, potatoes, eggplant and more. The baby veggies are destined for community gardens and small private growing operations. Ultimately, they will end up on the dinner plates of Philadelphians who might not otherwise enjoy such healthful fare. It’s all part of PHS’s newest food-gardening initiative, the City Harvest Growers Alliance. Launched with a $300,000 grant from the US Department of Agriculture and supported by the Forrest & Frances Lattner Foundation, the Growers Alliance is aimed at encouraging entrepreneur- ship among local growers and making fresh produce more available. “In many urban neighborhoods, it’s much easier to find a fast-food restaurant than a supermarket,” explains PHS program manager Claire Baker. “So fresh vegetables can be hard to find or expensive, and some families experience hunger or eat unhealthy foods simply because their choices — or their means — are limited.” To help address this problem, PHS taps the skills and energy of urban gardeners. The Growers Alliance builds on the success of PHS’s City Harvest project. Through City Harvest — launched in 2006 with a found- ing grant from The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation — inmates of the Philadelphia Prison System grow seedlings at a prison greenhouse, and more seeds are started at Weavers Way Farm. The seedlings are transplanted and grown to maturity by volunteers in dozens of community gardens throughout the city. Through a partnership with SHARE (Self Help and Resource Exchange), the resulting produce is distrib- uted to food cupboards, where clients can take part in tastings and cooking demonstrations offered by the Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania. City Harvest gardeners donate more than 13,000 pounds of fresh food annually. The new Growers Alliance establishes Green Resource Centers to help urban farmers get started. It will also support farmers markets to give them a place to sell their produce. The Resource Centers will act as distribution hubs where growers can pick up seeds, plants, lumber for raised beds, and other supplies. In return, participants must commit to the Growers Alliance for three years, attend workshops on sustainable food production and marketing, volunteer time back to the program, work with the Philadelphia Green team on crop planning, and donate a portion of their produce to City Harvest. “In the first year we’ve chosen 13 participating growers, two of which are youth initiatives,” Baker says. “A total of 66 will participate over the three years of the grant. Growers are chosen on the basis of experience and likelihood of success, but we want to include people of all ages, from all parts of the city, and from a wide range of backgrounds.” The City Harvest Growers Alliance supports a goal of the City of Philadelphia’s sustainability plan, GreenWorks Philadelphia, which calls for bringing local food to within 10 minutes of 75 percent of city residents and creating 86 new fresh food outlets by 2015. “We’re thrilled with the opportunity to take urban food production to the next level at PHS and throughout the city,” says Joan Reilly, senior director of Philadelphia Green. “This program will allow PHS and its partners to increase their growing capacity, boost the supply of fresh produce, and help individuals or groups earn money growing healthy food.” 42 i EP Henry Has The All-American Dream Backyard for you. And we have the services to help make your dream project a reality. Start with our interactive photo gallery at ephenry.com where you can view thousands of photos plus virtual tours. Then speak with your own Project Consultant who will match you with one of our EP Henry Authorized Hardscaping Contractors®, skilled professionals qualified to perform your installation. And don’t forget to explore our industry-unique financing program, Project Funding™. Our Financing Director will personally guide you through a wide variety of options to choose the one best-suited for your needs. — ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES ENTER TO WIN THE THE ALL-AMERICAN BACKYARD Your backyard cookout will be the envy of neighbors and friends this year! The winner of the All-American Backyard Promotion will receive: • An EP Henry Fire Pit Kit - New for 2010! • A Wolf® Outdoor 36" Built-In Grill • A BenchSmith” teak table and chair set To enter online, or for more information about the All-American Backyard Promotion please visit ephenrybackyard.com or call 877.436.7922 to speak with a Project Consultant. MADE POSSIBLE BY €P HENRY EXCELLENCE SINCE 1903 ephenrybackyard.com 877.436.7922 FIREPLACES PATIOS WALKWAYS DRIVEWAYS POOL DECKS WALLS At PNC Wealth Management we’ve been helping secure our clients’ futures for more than 1 50 years. Let our strength and stability be the basis for yours. ■r f "13t The PNC Financial Services Group. Inc. ("PNC”) provides investment and wealth 'management, fiduciary Services, FDIC-insured banking products arid services and lending and borrowing of funds through its subsidiaries' T’NC Bank. National Association and PNC Bank, Delaware and National City Bank, which are Members FDIC. PNC does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. ©2009 The PNC Financial Services Group. Inc. All rights reserved. IDA I C* WEALTH rINL MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY To put your trust in someone else’s hands is to have complete confidence in them. We earn this trust by providing clients with an experienced team that will listen, understand and then develop a customized plan to achieve their goals. When it comes to helping guide our clients in building their future, we look for solutions that will benefit them in the long run. Our long-term perspective has made us one of the best-performing large banks in America today and it is also the same perspective we apply to managing our clients’ wealth. To find out how we can help you, call 1-888-762-6226 or visit pnc.com/wealthmanagement. Creating Wildflower PHS PLANTING SEEDS. GROWING LIVES. September-October 2010 • $5.00 i k ■ eene Making Magic m the Shade... Woodland Gardens As a PHS member, you may be eligible to save $1 ,300 to $3,300 off the MSRR* plus current incentives on any new Subaru purchase or lease, including the 2010 Forester. Another reason to love the VIP Partners Program. Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru. To learn more, visit http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/membership/VIP.html PLANTING SEEDS. GROWING LIVES. Subaru is pleased to announce that the Forester was recently named a 2010 IIHS Top Safety Pick. ‘You may be eligible to save $1,300 to $3,300 off the MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) depending on model and accessories, plus any applicable Incentives on the purchase or lease of any new Subaru from participating dealers. MSRP does not include tax, title and registration fees. Limited time offer subject to change without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Valid in the U.S. only, except Hawaii. Cannot be combined with any other SOA promotional offers, coupons (such as auto show or internet coupons) or direct mail offers (except Subaru Guaranteed Trade-In Program (GTP) or Subaru Reward Dollars). All rights reserved. Perfect Time... Per feet Place... Perfect Plan. Find it at The Hill at Whitemarsh, one of Delaware Valleys newest life care communities, where you can easily enjoy the energy and culture of the city, yet escape to country living in a beautiful community setting. Residents here are passionate about Philadelphia, thrive on an active social life and maintain an independent and stimulating lifestyle. Our spacious residences feature a wealth of services and amenities and assure you a lifetime of maintenance free, comfortable living with a secure future. For a personal appointment and tour of our community, please call us today at 215-402-8500 or 1-800-315-4103. Where You Want to Be 4000 Fox Hound Drive, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 www.thehillatwhitemarsh.org 4033 West Chester Pike (Rte.3) Newtown Square, PA 1 9073 610-356-8035 • www.mostardi.com Gold Medal Garden... Start with High Performance Plants from Mostardi! We stock flowers, shrubs and trees that are recom- mended 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 and check out our 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 good as gold! Home c £ G GREEN SCENE • September/ October 2010 3 r Cathedral Village In These Uncertain Times . . . There Are Things You Can he Certain of. . . While current economic and health care conditions remain uncertain, Cathedral Village is the one place that continues to guarantee a secure future. In the back of everyone’s mind today are questions about the cost of nursing care, the direction of health care services, and the preservation of personal finances. So here are some plain facts to consider about our guarantee: Cathedral Village proudly maintains our Extensive Type A Contract, the best and most comprehensive in the Retirement industry. Under this contract, the Monthly Fee for the apartment of your choice covers a broad spectrum of departmental services that support every day health care: ♦ Unlimited visits for routine and emergency care provided by our Outpatient Department which is staffed with professional nurses 24 hours daily/365 days of the year. ♦ Thomas Jefferson Physicians, experienced in Gerontology, on-site 5 days a week, and always on call. ♦ Unlimited stays in Bishop White Lodge, our skilled nursing facility. ♦ The quality of our 12 hour day Dining Services program which accommodates the dietary requests of each resident, including those needing special diets, and by serving three full meals every day prepared by our own Executive Chef and his staff of Sous Chefs. ♦ Our state-of-the art Health Club with indoor pool, a spacious Fitness Center, personal direction and assistance of our Health Club Director, water-aerobics and exercise classes, along with Yoga and Tai-Chi classes. ♦ Our own Security Staff 24 hours daily/365 days who provide all transportation services, especially for outside medical visits. Monthly fees also cover numerous professional concerts in Cathedral Hall, year-round Village College courses, Horticultural and Greenhouse classes and seminars, or Painting and Pottery classes. Enjoy a relaxing swim in the pool winter or summer, compete with friends on the Putting Green or use the Art Studios and Craft Shop for quiet creative time. Visit and Discover More Ways to Secure Your Future ! Visit Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 3 PM. Appointments are needed for weekends and holidays. Cathedral Village 600 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 www.cathedralvillage.com (215) 984-8621 Y J Cathedral Village is a Nonprofit, Nondenominational Continuing Care Retirement Community Accredited by CARF-CCAC Since 1984 • Affiliated With the Jefferson Health System Since 1986 Photo by Laura Brandt POTTING SHED Q Creating Wildflower Bouquets Nancy Ondra shows us how to create beautiful flower arrangements using blossoms from your own garden or from a nearby meadow or field. IQ Across the River Lorraine Kiefer leads a tour of three notable gardens in Camden, NJ, including the Harleigh Cemetery, where Walt Whitman is buried. FEATURES "1 2 Woodland Gardens David Benner is one of our region's true masters of woodland gardening. Here, he shares his tips for growing in deep shade and tells us how to cultivate moss. IQ 2011 Gold Medal Plant Winners The new PHS Gold Medal Plants are here. Program manager Joe Ziccardi raises the curtain on this year's bevy of horticultural beauties. 24 Growing Ornamental Grasses Let Jo Ann Gardener teach you about wonderful annual grasses, which are more manageable than their large perennial cousins. You can even grow them in containers! COLUMNS Greening Basics The Art of Fundraising QQ The Backyard Learn about PHS's inspiring "Roots to Re-entry" program. Cover photo: Rob Cardillo The Pennsylvania Horticultural 2Q Flowering Shrubs Stephanie Cohen shows us some new, small-to-medium-sized shrubs that are perfect for the garden border in more than one season. Better yet, they're easy to grow and care for. Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. Illustration by Anne Vallery Letter from the Editor .ooking Up Fall is a fine time for gardeners to look up. We’ve spent the last five or six months gazing down at our terrestrial flowering plants, but autumn is the time to look skyward at the lush tree canopy above us. From late September through early December, our arboreal friends are going through dramatic changes, from the first hint of drying leaves in late summer through the wondrous parade of fall color, until the leaves finally come down in November. Even then, the ghostly silhouettes of the recently denuded trees are nothing short of remarkable — in just a few weeks our entire landscape changes. It’s why you hear time and again people say that fall is their favorite time of year. At PHS, we’re into trees ... big time. In this issue, you’l read about the 201 1 Gold Medal Plant Award win- ners, our annual rite ol fall. These are trees, shrubs, and woody vines that grow great in our region. You can find the whole lot of them — now totaling about 100 plants — at goldmedalplants.org. If you’re tired of plants that die after only a year or two, then check out these indestructible woodies for your property. If you’ve been gardening for a while, you know that autumn is a wonderful time to plant trees as well, as the cool temperatures give them time to acclimate to their new homes. Better still, getting them in the ground in early to mid fall gives trees a real jump on the following year’s growth. So while you’re looking for spring bulbs to put into the ground, also grab a tree or two; you’ll be doing wildlife a favor since trees provide habitat, especially if you plant a native specimen. PHS is heavily invested the region’s tree health through Tree Tenders, our acclaimed training course for volunteers, offered in the city and, more recent- ly, throughout the suburbs. Tree Tenders are taught not only how to care for trees, but also how to organize their neighbors to plant and tend them, which benefits the larger community. If that sounds appealing to you, come to one of the upcoming sessions in 201 1 (for more information, visit Philadelphiagreen.org and click on “Trees”). Also look for the Arbor Day Foundation symposium this fall (November 9 - 11), which will be held in Philly and will feature a Philadelphia Green tour of garden and park sites citywide. Last but not least, PHS will soon launch TreeVitalize 2020, a campaign to plant thousands of trees per year in the city and surrounding counties in partnership with the city, state, and region. We always welcome volunteers at PHS-led tree plantings, which are held seasonally throughout the region. So whether you’re out tree-gazing or trying to beautify your town or neigh- borhood, fall is clearly a time when things are looking up. Come join the fun! Pete/ prenvyv email: greenscene@pennhort.org 6 GREEN SCENE • September/ October 20 1 0 September- October 2010 Editor Pete Prown Senior Editor Jane Carroll Associate Editor Daniel Moise Staff Photographer Margaret Funderburg Art Design Baxendells' Graphic Printer ALCOM Printing Group, Inc. ^PHS Website PHSonline.org 100 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 215-988-8800 Chair John K. Ball President Drew Becher Vice President, Programs Maitreyi Roy PHS Membership Information Linda Davis, 215-988-8776 Display & Classified Ads Manzo Media Group 610-527-7047 mmanzo@manzomediagroup. com Garden Q & A Phone Line 215-988-8777, Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 12 / closed in December] askagardener@pennhort. org GREEN SCENE (USPS 955580), Volume 38, No 5, is published bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a nonprofit 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. © 2010 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society * WINTERTHUR * M lV Photo: Carlos Alejandro Dig deeper. . . be ENCHANTED, be DELIGHTED, be INSPIRED. Wednesdays at Winterthur 1 1:30 am, Greenhouses Join us for demonstrations, talks, and guided walks covering a wide range of gardening topics. Programs last approximately one hour. “ September 1 Edible Ornamentals September 8 Soil Structure: A Garden’s Foundation September 15 September Showstoppers September 22 Warning: Nursery Stock to Avoid September 29 Working Buildings of Farm Hill, from Past to Present October 6 Wrought Iron to Nylon Webbing: Seating in the Winterthur Garden October 13 Oak Hill: Fruits and Restoration October 20 Bark: More than Just Noise October 27 Winterthur Garden History Second Saturdays 1 :00 pm, Visitor Center Learn fascinating, little-known details about the estate with our expert horticulture staff. Walks last approximately 90 minutes. t+ September 1 1 Garden Structures and Water Features October 9 Fall Flowers and Fruits For more information call 800.448.3883 or visit winterthur.org. t Included with admission. J Members free. Winterthur is nestled in Delaware’s beautiful Brandywine Valley on Route 52, between 1-95 and Route I . GREEN SCENE • september/october 2010 7 Photos by Rob Cardillo The Potting Shed Wild Bouquets by Nancy J. Ondra Fields and roadsides filled with colorful wildflowers and feathery grasses signal that late summer and early fall have arrived in our part of the world. You can enjoy this abundance indoors too by making bouquets with these late-blooming beauties. There’s no need for special supplies or skills; just find a wide-mouth jar or vase, grab your clippers, and head outdoors to collect some flowers. If you have access to a meadow, gather whatever appeals to you. Make sure you first get permission to pick if you’re not on your own land. No mead- ow? No problem! Many of the showiest native wildflowers are also popular garden plants, so you may have plenty of fixings for a fine fall bouquet right in your backyard. Collect a variety of flower sizes and shapes: some spikes; some daisies or domes; and some lacy, feathery, or ferny fillers. Leaves, berries, and seed- heads are fair game too. Cut the stems to about twice as tall as the container you plan to use and put them in a bucket of water as soon as you cut them. Insects love late-season flowers, so it’s a good idea to arrange them outside. That way, you can easily shake off any bugs before you use the stems. Cleanup will be much easier, too. You can choose one of several methods to help the stems stay where you put them. Lightly wad up some chicken wire and gently tuck it into the top of the jar or vase. Run a few pieces of masking tape in a crisscross pattern over the top of the container to make a support grid. Or insert a bunch of well-branched stems first; asters and goldenrods (Solidago) work especially well for this. Begin building your bouquet with larger blooms like those of coneflowers ( Echinacea and Rudbeckia) and Joe-Pye weed ( Eupatorium ). Next I like to add smaller-flowered fillers, such as ironweed ( Vernonia) and sneezeweed ( Helenium ), and then finish with spiky grasses or flowers like Culver’s root ( Veronicastrum virgimcum) , but you can do the opposite if you prefer. For a variety of heights, trim some of the stems before you add them. Remember: the goal is country casual, not florist- formal, so go wild and have fun! Above: The author with her pet Alpacas. Left: Pink and lavender New England asters ( Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), purple coneflowers ( Echinacea purpurea), spiky 'Dallas Blues' switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum), and barely-in-bloom goldenrods ( Solidago ) make a pretty pastel arrangement. Add an extra touch of country by tucking their container into a rustic basket. Pennsylvania Wildflowers Lavender Hyssop Nodding Wild Onion Wild Columbine Red Milkweed Common Milkweed Butterflyweed Canada Milk Vetch Blue False Indigo Marsh Marigold New Jersey Tea Lance Leaf Coreopsis Canada Tick Trefoil Shooting Star Fireweed Joe-Pye Weed Sweet Joe Pye Weed Helen's Flower Showy Sunflower Maximillian's Sunflower Downy Sunflower Ox-eye Sunflower Wild Iris Blue Flag Iris Roundhead Bush Clover Prairie Blazingstar Cardinal Flower Great Blue Lobelia Wild Lupine Bergamot Dotted Mint Evening Primrose Stiff Goldenrod Wild Quinine Smooth Penstemon False Dragonhead Jacob s Ladder Mountain Mint Prairie Coneflower Yellow Coneflower Meadow Rose Black-eyed Susan Green-headed Coneflower Branched Coneflower Wild Petunia Wild Senna Compass Plant Cup plant Showy Goldenrod Smooth Aster New England Aster Spiderwort Blue Vervain Hoary Vervain Ironweed New York Ironweed Culver's Root Golden Alexanders Source: wildflowerfarm.com GREEN SCENE • September/ October 2010 9 Below: Volunteers plant flowers at Ronald McDonald House. Bottom: American poet Walt Whitman is buried at Harleigh Cemetery Potting She O Camden Gardens, Old and New by Lorraine Kiefer The Checo family gardens with the Camden City Garden Clfib. Camden, New Jersey, home of the Adventure Aquarium, Campbell’s Field Baseball Park, and the Walt Whitman House, also includes some fine gardens well worth a visit. Let’s explore a few: The Camden City Childrens Garden (3 Riverside Dr.) is a delightful spot where children can discover nature in four acres of imaginative gardens. The seeds for this project were planted in 1983 when the Camden City Garden Club, a nonprofit educational association, began to assist residents with gardens. The children’s garden became a reality in 1999. Children love to play in this outdoor garden and flock to the Dinosaur Garden, Maze, Tree House, Picnic Garden, Cityscapes Garden, Storybook Gardens, and the Fitness Garden. An old fashioned carousel, a train, and the spring butterfly ride fascinate kids of all ages. Indoor attractions include the Philadelphia Eagles Four Seasons Butterfly House; a tropical exhibit, Plaza de Aibonito; and Ben Franklin’s Secret Workshop. The organization has been exhibiting at the Philadelphia Flower Show since 1997, and its display includes a special message each year. The 2010 soup-and-salad theme emphasized plants that can be grown in city gardens to make healthy meals. Across the city is the Harleigh Cemetery at 1640 Haddon Avenue, near Collingswood, NJ. Entering the garden with its venerable trees and ancient-looking tombstone is like stepping back into history. The cemetery contains many famous graves, including that of Walt Whitman. Manager Chris Mojica leads a special Walt Whitman Tour each year. It was established in 1885, when it was the fashion of the Victorians to GREEN SCENE • September/ October 201 0 10 The Gardener’s Bookshelf Information CamdenChildrensGarden. org HarleighCemetery. org RonaldHouse-snj. org stroll through a cemetery or have a picnic there, much the same as one would do in a park. This historic cemetery is still used today, and Camden County veterans are buried there. Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey, the newest of these gardens, “provides a home away from home to fami- lies of seriously ill and traumatically injured children who are being treated at nearby hospitals,” according to its website. This year more than 100 volunteers celebrated Earth Day by planting a garden that will provide a peaceful place for visitors to nearby Cooper Hospital and other local facilities. Margie Leone, a member of the Haddonfield Garden Club, and fellow gardener Terry Bylone have been volunteering in the garden for the past lew years, along with director Teddy Thomas. Margie says, “When Teddy told us ol an offer from Kohl’s to send employees from area stores to help out and also make a generous donation, we were delighted! I had suggested the butterfly garden idea, which Teddy loved.” On Earth Day, the weather cooperated and more than 80 volunteers arrived. Terry also brought volunteers from Target where she works, and members of the Haddonfield Garden Club shared their expertise. By lunchtime, hundreds of plants were in the ground, mulch was spread, and sunflower seeds planted. The place was transformed by bee balm, daylilies, coneflowers, and jasmine vines. Lorraine Kiefer is a longtime Green Scene writer; Flower Show volunteer; and owner of Triple Oaks Nursery in Franklinville, New Jersey. WILD URBAN PLANTS OF THE NORTHEAST By Peter Del Tredici <392 pp, $29.95) Peter Del Tredici contends that we should celebrate, not eradicate, "spontaneous urban vegetation" — plants we unenlightened humans commonly call weeds. In his field guide, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast (Cornell University Press 2010), Del Tredici says these plants, which grow freely in neglect- ed landscapes, actually improve the quality of urban life by lowering temperatures, producing oxygen, providing food and habitat for wildlife, and controlling erosion on slopes. Del Tredici highlights 222 wild urban plants, from the tiny birdseye pearl- wort ( Sagina procumbens L.) to the towering silver maple [Acer sacchar- inum L.). A senior research scientist at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, he lists them in taxonomic order, which can be tricky for readers who just want to identify that pretty yellow-flowered plant growing in the park. Fortunately, each entry is accompanied by at least five color photographs that clearly show leaf structure, flower size, and growth habit, all of which makes for accurate identification. One piece of information you will not find, however, is how to get rid of these plants, unless you count harvesting the tastier specimens. (Who knew the young shoots of Polygonum cuspidatum, or Japanese knotweed, are edible after boiling and have a lemony flavor?) THE PRUNING BOOK By Lee Reich (240 pp, $2195) Pruning tends to bring out the yin or yang in many gardeners, who can be typed by their comfort level with a pair of loppers; those who rarely perform this essential task, worried they'll do irreparable harm to their plants, and those who happily chop away past the point of no return. Lee Reich's revised and updated The Pruning Book is the ideal reference for every gardener, ensuring that all future cuts are "well reasoned, well timed, and well made." With these three keys in mind, Reich, who holds a doctorate in horticulture and is a frequent contributor to Taunton's Fine Gardening, has organ- ized the book into three parts: the basics, the plants, and specialized- pruning techniques. With clearly written text and visuals (nearly 400 photographs and illustrations), Reich empowers gardeners to tackle these unruly plants in their gardens, such as vines growing out of control. (Whack the entire plant almost all the way down, then selectively train one or a few new stems to rebuild it from the ground up.) Plant-specific advice — especially for roses and clematis — and information on the best time to prune is invaluable. - Betsie Blodgett GREEN SCENE • september/october 2010 11 Woodland Wonders How to Make Magic in the Shade HAVE YOU EVER HEARD GARDENERS LAMENT, “I can’t seem to grow grass in the shade,” or “Darn, I’ve got moss in my garden.” According to David Benner, the best solution is to stop growing grass in the shade, plant shade- loving plants and, most of all, learn to love the moss. When Benner saw his lawn deteriorating with patches of moss growing at the property he acquired in 1962, he decid- ed he would stop wasting his time fertilizing, watering, and mowing grass and instead, encourage the moss to grow. “I’m not a slave to turf grass,” Benner says. “As the plants have spread, there is less maintenance and more time to enjoy the garden.” In fact, Benner loathes grasses so much that he refuses to grow even ornamental grasses or sedges. He found out that moss provides a perfect growing medium for many woodland plants. He encouraged the moss by dusting the soil with powdered sulfur to create an acidic environment that killed both weeds and grass after a few months. Benner’s magnificent two-acre woodland hillside garden near New Hope in Bucks County, PA, has been nourished by nearly 50 years of love and patience. After winter snows, he and his wife, Sue, eagerly await the spectacular flower display in April and May. When I visited the garden during the third week in April this year, it simply took my breath away. The Basic Elements Four basic structural components comprise a true woodland garden: canopy, understory, shrub layer, and groundcover. Deciduous trees such as mature red maples, various oaks, sycamores, native beech, and tulip poplar provide the shady setting in Benner’s garden. Early spring flowers such as Virginia bluebells bloom in the sunlight before the trees leaf out and disappear until next spring. Evergreen trees and shrubs accent the garden in winter. What is the secret to Benner’s success? “Location, location, location,” he says. “One of the biggest mistakes is putting plants in the wrong place. Do your research to make sure the plants you want will thrive under your conditions,” he adds. Another common mistake is planting something that gets too large for the space. GREEN SCENE • September/ October 2010 13 Woodland ponders ■0 '■vf & Design with Nature When it comes to design, Benner recommends visiting a wooded area or preserve for inspiration. “My idea of design is a naturalistic approach that emulates nature,” he says. Luckily, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is just down the road in New Hope. Visitors can choose from a wide selection of native plants at the Preserve’s spring and fall plant sales. Use natural materials such as stone found in your area. Benner’s property contains a stone wall from the 1940s, and numerous moss-covered boulders dot the landscape. The natural-looking pathways are delineated with old logs from fallen trees and paved with moss, leaves, or stone and gravel. While color combinations are key, texture and foliage become important when little else is in bloom. Thirty different ferns add dimension and texture and function as fillers that hide the decaying foliage from spring-blooming plants. One of Benner’s favorites, shiny, evergreen Korean tassel fern ( Polystichum polyblepharuni), has young fronds that resemble graceful tassels. Benner prefers the soft pastel colors of early spring, but he also has a few brightly-colored plants. Scarlet cardinal flower ( Lobelia cardinalis), a hummingbird favorite, blooms from July to August, and orange flame azalea ( Rhododendron calendulaceum ) flowers in June, l ire pinks ( Silene virginicd), a bright red star-shaped native perennial that blooms in late April to early May, lights up shady areas. Bright yellow wood poppy, or celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum ), combines well with the soft blues of Virginia bluebell ( Mertensia virginicd) and other spring bloomers. “Invisible” black fencing around the perimeter of the property eliminates deer browsing, fallen leaves can smother moss, but Benner lays fine netting on it in the autumn, then rolls it up once the leaves are down and shakes them into a compost pile. Unexpected Elements While you won’t find gnomes and little fairies dancing around the moss carpet, you will find a few moss-covered items that will catch you by surprise, such as shoes, gloves, and a tiny man. Along several paths you’ll see rare Chinese boxwood ( Buxus harlandii), a naturally-growing vase-shaped shrub that Benner has been propagating for decades. Rare Oconee bells (Shortia galacifolia) produce small pinkish white flowers in April. “This wonderful groundcover with shiny, round evergreen leaves spread from two specimens I planted 25 years ago,” explains Benner. Woodland Wonders While there is little sunlight on the property, Benner receives enough to grow his favorite David Austin shrub rose, ‘Abraham Darby’. “I’ve always loved its peach/pink color and intoxicating fragrance,” he says. The Patient Gardener Benner never planted moss on his property. Once he killed the lawn with sulfur, a green film slowly appeared. Tiny moss spores are so lightweight that wind can carry them lor miles. “I waited the whole summer and the moss came in by the fall. It takes patience to plant and appreci- ate a woodland garden,” he says. “You can’t be in a hurry.” Laura Brandt designs gardens and writes about gardening from her Bucks County home. Making a Moss Milkshake If you want to grow moss easily and quickly, try a "Moss Milkshake" Even Martha Stewart likes this product. She has featured Al Benner, Dave's son and head of Moss Acres, on her show. Add water to the carton and spread the gel-like paste over soil or a shady surface. Or sprinkle the dried moss directly onto bare soil and water it in. The 7.5-ounce carton covers 10 to 20 square feet. The product is sold through Moss Acres, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, and some garden centers. Resources Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve bhwp.org 215-862-2924 Native plants, information Moss Acres 866-GET-MOSS mossacres.com Fine netting, moss-growing supplies Benner's Gardens bennersgardens. com 800-BIG-DEER Deer Fencing References Landscaping with Nature by Jeff Cox (Rodale Press, 1991) Moss Gardening by George Schenk (Timber Press, Inc., 1997) Wildflowers: A Guide to Growing and Propagating Native Flowers of North America (The New England Wild Flower Society ) by William Cullina (Houghton Mifflin Co., 2000) Clockwise from top: Sue and David; delicate bonnets of Quaker ladies (Houstonia caerulea ) make natural companions to moss; an endangered box huckleberry (Gaylussacia brachycera); yellow lady's slipper ( Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens ); and a fire pink ( Silene virginica) Opposite: Northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum ) 17 J I H'GOLD medal PLANT AWARD THE PHS GOLD MEDAL PLANT AWARD PROGRAM honors and promotes woody plants of exceptional merit. Nominations for plants come from home gardeners, garden designers, horticulturists, landscape architects, nursery owners, prop- agators— just about anyone who loves trees, shrubs, and vines. This - C year, the volunteer Gold Medal Award Committee selected four “ CO great plants that deserve a place in your garden. Three are a cultivars native to the eastern United States; the fourth, a tough O shrub from Europe, is an absolute must for winter interest. by Joe Ziccardi, PCH "J: Comus sanguined ‘Midwinter Fire’ (Blood twig Dogwood) This is a truly superior winter-interest plant. A large deciduous shrub, it spreads by suckers to form a dense clump. In the fall, its leaves turn greenish-purple and then drop to reveal spectacular stems that provide an intense display of yellow, orange, and red hues from late fall to early spring, especially when placed in front of a dark backdrop. “It looks as though it’s lit from within,” says Richard Hesselein of Pleasant Run Nursery. Full sun and a hard spring pruning will produce the best stem colors. Abundant clusters of white flowers appear in mid-May. It grows about 8 feet high by 10 feet wide. Urban-tolerant and adaptable to almost any soil condition (except wet), ‘Midwinter Fire’ looks great in the shrub border, in masses, or in containers. Plant it in full or part sun. Hardy in Zones 4 to 7. 18 GREEN SCENE • September/ October 201 0 Unprecedented Experience Personal Service Exceptional Quality It's The McFarland Way! Call today to schedule a free professional consultation to review your property. 21 5.844 TREE (8733) 610.688.6644 Fax: 215.438.1879 www.mcfarlandtree.com ARCHWAYS TOWERS PAVILIONS PERGOLAS OF PRODUCTS OR LET US BENCHES custom design/build to YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS. FENCES The_j Painted GarderUjInc. RAILS (215) 884-7378 WWW.THEPAINTEDGARDENINC.COM 304 EDGE HILL ROAD, GLENSIDE, PA 19038 SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT Gold Medal Plants Diervilla sessilifolia Cool Splash ‘LPDC Podaras’ (Southern Bush-Honeysuckle) Native to the southeastern United States, Southern Bush-Honeysuckle is a low- growing deciduous shrub. Vigorous and adaptable, it spreads by suckers into a reliable mass. Cool Splash tolerates all light conditions but performs best in full sun, where its variegated glossy leaves develop vivid tones of green and cream. “It’s the only readily available variegated form of this under-utilized shrub,” says Gold Medal Committee chair Steve Mostardi, of Mostardi Nursery in Newtown Square, PA. The plant’s small yellow flowers, borne on new wood, huddle together from June to August. Perfect for massing or the perennial border, it grows 2 1/2 feet high and 3 1/2 feet wide and benefits from a moderate spring pruning. Hardy in Zones 4 to 7. -► Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’ (American Sweetgum) ‘Slender Silhouette’ is a very narrow, low-maintenance cultivar of the American sweetgum tree, growing 30 feet high and only 4 feet wide. Unlike the species, ‘Slender Silhouette’ produces little fruit (those brown spiky orbs), which when dropped lands in a small, easily cleaned-up area. The tree’s dark green glossy leaves turn yellow with a tinge of red in the fall. This is a great park or allee tree, but you can use it anywhere you need a narrow tree. It prefers moist soil and space for root development. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9. 20 GREEN SCENE • September/ October 201 0 Gold Medal Plants ► FINE GARDEN CREATIONS, INC. < Landscape and Garden Design and Installations info@finegardencreations.com • www.finegardencreations.com Tel: 610-338-0630 • Fax: 610-328-4850 • PA 01 3202 K/aB Guided by Quaker Values of Financial Security Setting Standards of Excellence in Retirement Living Since 1967 Gwynedd, PA • 215-643-2200 • www.foulkeways.org 4k FRIENDS . . . . Quality nannha services a 40^ Foulkeways® at Gwynedd does not discriminate on the basis of race ^Jirst ponpiia ComposT-Twin You can have a constant supply of compost! Discarding garden debris, kitchen scraps, and leaves is a costly waste of compostable material. Recycle them into soil-enriching compost with the Mantis ComposT-Twin. Mantis ComposT-Twin features: Unique two-chamber composter design ■% Easy-turning handle rotates both composting chambers simultaneously ■% Let one side “cook" while adding material to the other side Sits 32 inches off the ground for convenient loading and emptying finished compost Try it for a year, risk-free! If you don’t like it, return it for a full refund The Mantis Promise Try any product that you buy directly from Mantis with NO RISK! If you’re not completely satisfied, send it back to us within one year for a complete, no-hassle refund. 1.800.366.6268 www.compost-twin.com © 2010 Schiller Grounds Care Inc The Mantis ComposT-Twin is easier to turn than other composters. No back-breaking work to mix and aerate the pile - just turn the gear-driven handle. See just how easy making your own compost can be! - 1028 Street Road. Dept CM100021 Southampton. PA 18966 YES! Please rush me a FREE DVD and Information on the Mantis ComposT-Twin and your ONE-YEAR NO-RISK TRIAL Tell me about all the special offers now In effect. Name Address City State Zip Email GREEN SCENE • September/ October 2010 35 SHOW OFFYOUR SHU SKILLS! ERBUG Enter the 20 1 0 Green Scene Garden Photo Contest ... Win Great Prizes! Second-place prize, two great photography books ATTENTION all amateur photographers: Green Scene wants to see your best photos of gardens, flowers, landscapes, and people enjoying nature. The contest’s expert judges will be looking for knockout images that capture the joy of gardening and nature. Winning photos will be published in the January/February 201 1 issue of Green Scene magazine and on the PHS website. The first- place winner will receive a new Kodak EasyShare Cl 80 digital camera, and great prizes are awarded to the second- and third-place winners as well. Photos can be shot in any format, but must be submitted as 4 x 6- or 5 x 7-inch prints with your name, phone number, and email address on the back. No submissions by email or on CD will be accepted. The deadline for entries is September 18, 2010. For more information, please visit the PHS website at PHSonline.org or email greenscene@pennhort.org. You can also call 215-988-8871. SEE NEXT PAGE FOR CONTEST RULES & MORE PRIZES ENTRY FORM (please fill out completely) NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE EMAIL ENTRY FEES (Must be included with entry form) Amount (check one): 1 photo ($15) O 2-5 photos ($25) d 6-10 photos ($40) O Payment Option: Check O (payable to PHS) Credit card: Visa O MasterCard O AmEx Security Code Card Number Card Expiration Date Signature Please mail your entries to: GREEN SCENE GARDEN PHOTO CONTEST, PHS, 100 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 The contest is open to photographers 18 years and older. To be eligible, all entries must be postmarked on or before September 18, 2010. Warranty and Permission By sending this photograph(s) to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Green Scene Garden Photo Contest, I warrant that I am the sole author of this photo(s). 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. SUfiM it PLANTING SEEDS. GROWING LIVES. Printed Name Signature Classified Ads GREEN SCENE GARDEN PHOTO CONTEST OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES l/VHO MAY ENTER * Amateur photographers (those who earn less than 1/4 of their annual income from photography) age 18 and older. * Employees of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and its affiliates are not eligible. SUBMISSIONS * Photographers may only enter images as 4 x 6-mch or 5 x 7-inch prints, either in color or black-and-white. * All submissions must be accompanied by a complet- ed entrance form (see page 36) and entry fees. * IMPORTANT: On the back of each image, you must write your name, address, email and/or phone. OptionaLYou may also include technical information about the photograph (camera type, f-stop, speed, film type, etc.), as well as background information. * If you'd like your images returned, please enclose a self- addressed stamped envelope with your submission. * Original images may be shot on print film, slides, or digital cameras, but all submissions must be 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, 2007). * Photos may eventually be mounted on cardboard if we choose to display them. * Photos that violate or infringe upon another photographer's copyright are not eligible for entry. * The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is not responsible for loss of or damage to any photographs submitted for the contest. ENTRY FEES * Photographers may enter 1 photo for a fee of $15; 2 to 5 photos for a fee of $25; or 6 to 10 photos for a fee of $40. Fees are non-refundable. PRIZES 1st Kodak EasyShare C180 Digital Camera 2nd Two great photography books: The Art of Garden Photography and Macro Photography for Gardeners & Nature Lovers 3rd $25 gift certificate to Meadowbrook Farm in Abington Township, PA ( meadowbrookfarm.org ) The three winning images and 10 Honorable Mention recipients will be featured in the January/February 2011 issue of Green Scene. Important Dates * All entries must be postmarked by September 18, 2010. * All winners will be notified by November 16, 2010. For more information: For more information, please email greenscene@pennhort.org for fastest response. You may also call 215-988-8871. FLORISTS Sustainable Event Decorating garden arrangements can be planted weddings, parties, holidays corporate-private www. urbanbotanical. com Helen@urbanbotanical.com 21 5-438-7533 GARDEN STRUCTURES GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Custom Aluminum or Wood 35 Years’ Experience Call Robert J. LaRouche at Glass Enclosures Unlimited 610-687-2444 GREEN TECHNOLOGIES Rainwater Harvesting Systems Capture • Filter • Reuse Please visit our website to learn more www.YourPond.com Cedar Run Landscapes 1 -800-Landscape HARDSCAPING HERITAGE STONE & MARBLE We are an installation and restoration company who emphasizes long lasting quality with outstanding craftsmanship. FLAGSTONE, BRICK-patios and walkways, COBBLESTONE-edging and paving, STONE walls, RETAINING walls, MARBLE, GRANITE-floors, walls, countertops. 21 5-699-561 1 Upper Gwynedd, PA 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 BURKE BROTHERS LANDSCAPE DESIGN/BUILD Nationally-recognized designs. Experienced staff ensures the integrity of the design from concept to completion. burkebrothers.com 215-887-1773 610-520-2025 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 www.davidbrothers.com LINDA CORSON LANDSCAPE DESIGN • Consulting • Plans • Supervision Registered Landscape Architect Member ASLA 215-247-5619 MULCH BALED PINE NEEDLE MULCH Pick up/Delivery/Spreading service Cedar Run Landscapes Call for brochure 1 -800-LANDSCAPE www.CedarRunLandscapes.com FLOWERS AND MORE, INC. Garden Design, Installation & Maintenance PINE-NEEDLE MULCH Wholesale and Retail 610-701-9283 renee52@comcast.net NURSERIES 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 Triple Oaks Nursery & Herb Garden * Great Plants * Display Gardens * Programs * Franklinville, New Jersey www.tripleoaks.com 856-694-4272 greatpiants@tripieoaks. com Real Estate Real Estate For Sale One Acre Gardener’s Paradise 1101 Beech Road Bryn Mawr, PA Featured on Shipley and HPS Garden Tours Sun-Room with Full-Size Heated Pool Opens onto One of 5 Patios Totally Renovated Home 2na Floor Addition Completed 2009. www.2pahomes.com for virtual tour $875,000 610-687-2900 TREES Tree Transfers Inc. Large Tree Transplanting and Sales Large Screening & Specimen Plant Material 215-635-2310 Serving the Delaware Valley since 1987 37 The Backyard HIkW'1 fH % r 1 / 1 i 1 III n ■ I EL -i R H PHS's ROOTS TO RE-ENTRY" INITIATIVE In June PHS cele- brated the first graduates of its new Roots to Re-entry program. A green jobs initiative run in part- nership with the Philadelphia Prison System, Bartram’s Garden, and local landscaping firm KJK Associates, Roots to Re-entry gives prison inmates a chance to learn new skills and secure employment upon their release. Through Roots to Re- entry, inmates from the Philadelphia Prison System receive fourteen weeks of training, which includes life-skills and job-readiness training as well as hands-on experience in landscaping and horticul- ture, including plant identification, crew leadership, and equipment operation and safety. The hands-on work takes place both at the prison and at Bartram’s Garden, a historic garden located in southwest Philadelphia, where the inmates help maintain gardens, repair fences, and build new beds, among other tasks. The partici- pants live in a Prison System halfway house while working at Bartram’s Garden during the day. At the completion of the program, trainees are released or paroled and can work for KJK Associates or anoth- HELPING INMATES GROW NEW LIVES By Jane Carroll and Beverly Vandenburg er landscaping firm. A total of 1 5 graduates of three sessions are expected by the end of the summer. Roots to Re-entry is aligned with of PHS’s widely heralded City Harvest program, in which prison inmates start vegetable seedlings that are grown to maturity in community gardens through- out Philadelphia; the resulting produce is donated to food cupboards. Roots to Re-entry helps maximize the chances of job placement, allows inmates to give back to the city, and will help them more easily make the tran- sition to life outside the prison system. “Roots to Re-entry gets at the heart of the PHS mission, which is to empower people and change lives through horticulture,” says Philadelphia Green’s Bob Grossmann. At the graduation ceremony of the first class in June, Roots to Re-entry participant Troy Johnson said, “It’s not just about us; I won’t let you down.” Fellow graduate Jonathan Paulson added, “I’m just proud to be a part of this program and have a chance to be a productive member of society again. I don’t know where I d be without it. Prison Commissioner Louis Giorla summed it up this way: “Through the combined efforts and good- will of the many partners here today, this program is yielding jobs for ex-offenders and helping to build a greener Philadelphia.” 38 GREEN SCENE • September/ October 201 0 BARTLETT. BECAUSE FULL, HEALTHY TREES MAKE FOR FULL, HEALTHY LIVES. The trees and shrubs that shade us and grow along with us are valuable assets that deserve care and protection. For over 100 years, we’ve led both the science and services that make your landscape thrive. No matter the size or scope of your tree and shrub care needs, our experts provide you with a rare mix of local service, global resources and innovative practices. Trees add so much value to our lives. And Bartlett adds even more value to your trees. BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS SCIENTIFIC TREE CARE SINCE 1907 For the life of your trees. PRUNING . FERTILIZATION . PEST & DISEASE MANAGEMENT . REMOVAL PLEASE CALL 877 BARTLETT 877.227.8538 OR VISIT BARTLETT.COM PA6160 f J ! i r ©PMC WEALTH MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY To put your trust in someone else’s hands is to have complete confidence in them. We earn this trust by providing clients with an experienced team that will listen, understand and then develop a customized plan to achieve their goals. When it comes to helping guide our clients in building their future, we look for solutions that will benefit them in the long run. Our long-term perspective has made us one of the best-performing large banks in America today and it is also the same perspective we apply to managing our clients’ wealth. To find out how we can help you, call 1-888-762-6226 or visit pnc.com/wealthmanagement. At PNC Wealth Management we’ve been helping secure our clients’ futures for more than 1 50 years. Let our strength and stability be the basis for yours. November-December 2010 • $5.00 PLANTING SEEDS. GROWING LIVES. Gardening Recycle Your Pots Black " ,v -null 4 £ imBil IW, ^ . • Two green thumbs u The new 2011 Forester is your wheelbarrow, garden shed and greenhouse all rolled into one. Built in a zero landfill plant, it comes with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard and has won more awards than any other small SUV.* Just a few reasons why it’s both gardener- and Mother Nature-approved. Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru. To learn more about the PHS Subaru member benefit, please visit: www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/membership/VIP.html ‘Claim based on cumulative awards won since 1997 from Car & Driver (5 Best Trucks), Edmunds.com (Editor's Most Wanted) and RL Polk & Co. (Polk Automotive Loyalty Award). Citizens Bank FOR TICKETS VISIT: • 4 WalnutStreetTheatre.or