The turk's cap

Volume 9, Num-

THE TURK’S

The newsletter Of The dela ware Na t/ve Plant Society winter 2006 /07

In This Issue

Page 1 Natural Quotes
New Members
m DNPS Vision

Page 2 Thoughts From The Edge...

Event Highlight
Resources and Reviews

Page 3 Feature Article

Resources and Reviews

Page 4 Gardening With Native Plants

Resources and Reviews

Page 5 Feature Article continued

Resources and Reviews

Page 6 Booklet Announcement

■ Resources and Reviews

Page 7 Upcoming Events

Natural Quotes

“Nature is not only all that is visible
to the eye — it also includes the
inner pictures of the soul.”

Edvard Munch

A Snapping Crackling
Fireplace Welcome To
Our Newest Members

How Can I Get Involved?

The Delaware Native Plant Society is open
to everyone ranging from the novice gardener to the
professional botanist. One of the primary goals of
the society is to involve as many individuals as
possible.

The DNPS is working on some significant
projects at this time. We have completed four refor-
estation projects in the Prime Hook area, at Black-
bird Creek in New Castle County and Cedar Creek
in Sussex County where we have installed tree tubes
around newly sprouted seedlings, and are perform-
ing annual management of the sites. Help is also
needed at our native plant nursery at the St. Jones
Reserve with the monitoring and watering of plants
along with many other nursery activities.

For more information, E-mail us at
dnps@delawarenativeplants.org. Or visit our web-
site at www.delawarenativeplants. org. Our website
will have all of the past issues of The Turk’s Cap
along with a large section on native plants, as well
as links to other environmental and plant related
organizations.

October through December

Pat McElwee
Wandaliz Mercado
Linda Peters
Bruce Pringle

The DNPS
Vision

T he purpose of the
Delaware Native Plant
Society (DNPS) is to
participate in and encourage
the preservation,

conservation, restoration, and
propagation of Delaware’s
native plants and plant
communities. The Society
provides information to
government officials, business
people, educators, and the
general public on the
protection, management, and
restoration of native plant
ecosystems. The DNPS
encourages the use of native
plants in the landscape by
homeowners, businesses, and
local and state governments
through an on-going
distribution of information and
knowledge by various means
that includes periodic
publications, symposia

conferences, workshops, field
trips, and a growing statewide
membership organized by the
DNPS.

The Turk’s Cap, Volume 9, Number 4

Page

Thoughts From The Edge Of The Garden

Plant rescue efforts

Well, we finally got a plant rescue operation
together! Back in early December, we were
contacted about a project going in at Killens Pond
State Park that was going to impact a small section
of forested habitat. On December 6th, a small group
of Society members got together and we dug up
approximately 70 plants of approximately 12
species. The operation went very well (even though
part of our time was spent avoiding the skid steers as
they moved around us digging up the site). It defi-
nitely added to our inventory in the nursery. The big
trick was going to be keeping the plants alive over
the winter in their pots without freezing, but the
weather has been so mild thus far, the plants are
doing fine. Thanks to all who helped out with this
operation. Let’s hope the projects keep coming.

Nursery update

The nursery is doing just fine so far this winter. The
plastic on the greenhouse has taken a bit of beating
from the most recent windy rainstorms, because
without the shade cloth on the house, there is little
protection for the plastic. The plastic will need to be
replaced this spring, but we have a couple of months
before that project is tackled. And the best news is
that so far we have thwarted the ransackings of the
mice and squirrels on our stratifying seeds! We had
originally constructed a stratifying bench of PYC
pipe to keep the seed flats off the ground, but the
mildly important variable of just how much weight it
could hold was unknown at the moment it was put
into action, and subsequently, too much weight
brought it crashing to the ground. So a quick Plan B
was established (and is working so far), and it was
back to the drawing board... r

Event Highlight

6th annual native plant sale

We had a good plant sale this year, but not terrific.
Because of the rodent destruction last winter, and the
hot, dry summer, our inventory was not as large as
past years, and it showed in our attendance and over-
all sales figures. We also experienced a very very
cold, windy sale day, which may have discouraged
some people from venturing out to our nursery.
Numbers were down this year in all categories, but
we’re not too worried about it. We aren’t able to sus-
tain a continually growing event every year, and this
was the year for a plateau. It wasn’t a total bust how-
ever, as we did $1462.00 in pure plant sales, which
yielded a “profit” for us of $1014.00. Our annual
plant sale is our only true fund raising event of the
year and every little bit helps! We’d also like to
thank everyone who came out and helped to label,
price, haul plants around, or brought food. You are
all essential and greatly appreciated! C

Here’s the stats!

#of \ Year

2004

2005

2006

Species available

69

77

69

Plants available

1700

2000

1046

Plants sold

1081

976

564

Customers

96

125

72

Booklets sold

1

24

4

Checklists sold

3

0

2

Photo

By:

Bob

Edelen

Resources & Reviews

Woody Plants In Winter

Authored by Earl Lemley Core and Nelle P. Ammons. A classic text on the criteria for identifying trees and
shrubs in winter as reliably as in other seasons of the year. Based on years of teaching, the authors present
keys to recognize dormant woody plants by their buds and branches. The information details representative
plants from habitats in the northeastern US and southeastern Canada. Illustrated with over 300 line drawings.

The Turk’s Cap, Volume 9, Number 4 Page

Resources & Reviews

A Guide to Wildlflowers in Winter: Herbaceous Plants of Northeastern North America

Authored by Carol Levine. This beautifully illustrated book is a unique guide that helps both amateur naturalists and
serious field botanists identify nonwoody plants — herbaceous weeds and wildflowers — as they are found in winter in the
northeastern United States and eastern Canada. The book features long entries on 391 species of herbaceous plants, each
illustrated with a line drawing by Dick Rauh, together with briefer mentions of 191 similar species. The book also in-
cludes numerous charts illustrated by Rauh, an illustrated key, and an illustrated glossary. Photographs to help in
identifying winter rosettes of some species are also provided.

Feature Article

History of the dnps reforestation projects

0 Editor's note: This is the second part of a two part article ).

Part 2

Blackbird Creek Delaware National Estuarine Research
Reserve (DNERR) Site, New Castle County

The Blackbird Creek DNERR site is located near the Union
Church Road and Rte 9 intersection in the lower end of the
Blackbird Creek watershed. The DNERR staff arranged to
provide a field of approximately 1.5 acres for reforestation.

This field is located on the northeast side of Beaver Branch, a
small tributary of Blackbird Creek. The field is bordered by a
narrow wooded hedgerow on the northwest side immediately
adjacent to Union Church Road, a narrow forested fringe of the
Beaver Branch on the southwest, and private lands on the
southeast and northeast sides. These private lands consist of
grasslands and a planted lawn and garden. Reforestation will
provide an important buffer to Beaver Branch and Blackbird
Creek, and habitat for wildlife.

The site has two distinct soil and moisture profiles. The upper
half, which is closest to the adjacent private grassland is drier,
while tire lower half, closer to the forested edge and the Beaver
Branch, is moister. The transition slope is an elevation drop of
approximately 15-20 feet.

Work on the project began in February of 2002 with the writing
of a grant proposal, which was later approved.

Field work was anticipated to begin in September of 2002, but
climate conditions of the summer and early autumn of 2002
resulted in poor mast production, so DNPS requested, and was
granted a one-year extension for the field work.

A meeting with Jim Dobson, manager of Blackbird State Forest
was held on 22 September 2003 to discuss details of collecting
nuts in the state forest to use at the reforestation site.

The site was mowed on 1 October 2003 for the final time by
staff of the St. Jones DNERR Reserve.

Nut collecting took place between 2 October through 12 Octo-
ber 2003 at various .sites in the Blackbird State Forest and
direct seeding was done at the reforestation site. The nuts were
planted in a randomized fashion with 4 nuts to a flag. Most of

the nuts collected and planted were of various oak species
(primarily white, and southern red) with a small percentage of
hickories, tulip poplars, other hardwoods, and some shrubs. A
total of 1,984 nuts at 496 flags were planted.

Germination success was assessed on 23 May 2004 by Keith
Clancy and 47 tree tubes were installed around germinated
seeds, of which tire majority were oaks. We also discovered a
handful of the shrubs seeds that we planted (namely dogwood)
in October 2003 had germinated as well.

On 16 April 2005, 65 healthy trees (oaks and hickories) were
counted. In addition, tree tubes were adjusted, grass was cleared
from inside the tubes, and 20 additional scarlet oak seedlings
were planted from the DNPS nursery. A few of the original
shrubs were also still growing. It was noted that the most
successful part of the site is in the lower half, where the soil is
more consistently moist.

From the original seeding effort, there were 1 1 oaks with tree
tubes still living on 1 July 2006, as well as one oak that was
about 4 feet tall. Two hickories and one four-foot flowering
dogwood (which we planted) were also found and two addition-
al hickories were planted in the upper half of the site. The upper
half of the site has lost most of the original seedlings
because it is too dry. The lower half has dozens of volunteer
hickories, and a few volunteer oaks from the forest edge. The
site has quite a large number of multiflora rose shrubs, and
sweet gums (many of which were cut down during this years
management efforts), but also numerous small tulip Fees. The
upper half of the site is succeeding into the same type of pole
forest that is currently established at the Prime Hook Wildlife
Area site. The lower half of the site is going to contain the
greatest number of desirable species (the oaks and hickories)
and should be the core of the site front which the upper half will
ultimately get its source of seeds. As the trees from the lower
half mature, they will shade the upper half and help to retain
moisture, to ultimately make it successful. Until then, human
efforts to reforest the upper half will most likely be futile.

Cedar Creek Natural Area Site, Sussex County

The Cedar Creek Natural Area, managed by the Delaware Divi-
sion of Parks and Recreation, is located approximately 1 mile
west of Route 1 on Brick Granary Rd. The site is approximately
1 8 acres in size and is bordered by the lawn of a church on one
side, houses and a thin row of trees and shrubs on one side, and

Continued on page 5

The Turk’s Cap, Volume 9, Number 4

Page

Gardening With Native Plants

WlNTERBERRY HOLLY ( ILEX VERTICILLATA)

NATURAL HISTORY

At the first mention of holly, one’s thoughts typically lean to
the American Holly (Ilex opaca) a stately evergreen tree with
shiny (and prickly) green leaves and spectacular red berries that
adorn landscapes throughout the country and who’s festive
greenery brighten homes during the holiday season. However, a
winter stroll along waterways and moist woodlands throughout
Delaware will reveal another member of the holly family wor-
thy of any landscape! Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a decidu-
ous holly that thrives in moist habitats from Nova Scotia and
Quebec, west to Minnesota and south to Arkansas and the Flor-
ida Panhandle. This relatively slow growing holly forms a
dense well rounded shrub that is ideal for low nesting birds
such as cardinals and mocking birds, and it’s diminutive flow-
ers are a major source of energy for bees, bumblebees, small
butterflies and other insects that act as pollinators in return for
their nutrient rich nectar. But it is during the fall and winter
months that winterberry is unsurpassed for it’s beauty and value
to wildlife. The Latin name ‘ verticillata translates as "arranged
in whorls", referring to the arrangement of the sessile fruits
(and also referring to the flowers) in a "pseudo-whorl" around
the stems. The bright red and sometimes orange berries are
bom in large clusters that persist well into the winter months
unless consumed by wildlife. Because of their relatively low fat
content the bright red berries are not readily consumed, but as
more desirable food sources diminish, the berries of winterber-
ry become a welcome banquet to over 20 species of birds in-
cluding bluebirds, robins, thrushes, mockingbirds,
catbirds, cedar waxwings, sparrows, grouse, dove and wood-
peckers, and mammals such as raccoons, squirrels, deer and
mice that rely on the late season bounty.

WHERE TO GROW

Ilex verticillata or winterberry is a must for any landscape.
Though winterberry is a shrub of primarily moist woodlands
and thus especially tolerant of poorly drained soils, it will thrive
under many light and soil conditions given an ample supply of
water and slightly acid soil. It can be planted in a forest under-
story, at the edge of woodland and along stream banks. It can
be regularly trimmed to maintain a lush, impenetrable hedge.
For the best fruiting, thickest foliage and most attractive shape
and display, grow your winterberry in an open landscape with
ample light. Since the fruits are only produced on the female
trees, both male and female specimens are required to produce
fruit. One male tree is suitable for pollinating from 3 to 5
female trees, but be sure to obtain plants from the same area (or
hybrid) to insure that flowering occurs at the same time each
year. Your winterberry will tend to sucker and form dense im-
penetrable thickets 6 to 10 feet tall, so it is most effectively

used in a group or mass plantings, at entrance ways, along bor-
ders, as a deciduous screen, in wet naturalized areas, and is ex-
cellent at the very edge of bodies of water, along waterways,
along woodland edges and in wildlife habitats.

PROPAGATION AND CARE

Propagation of winterberry can either be accomplished from
seed or by taking cuttings. Seeds will require 18 months to ger-
minate, and are best sown in autumn as soon as they ripen. Col-
lect ripened berries and separate from the pulp by maceration.
Scarification, followed by a warm stratification and then a cold
stratification may speed up germination. Place the seeds in a
mixture of equal parts peatmoss, fine pine bark mulch and sand
and place in a cold frame protected from the winter chill. Once
large enough to handle, pot the seedlings up into individual pots
and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame for their first
year. Grow them on in their pots for a second season and then
plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or
early summer. Seedlings should be provided a layer of organic
mulch for protection during their first year. Alternatively, cut-
tings of almost ripe wood with a heel, taken in August and
treated with a rooting hormone and placed in a shaded cold
frame will also produce desirable results. Leave for 12 months
before potting up. Best performance occurs in full sun in acidic,
organically enriched, moist to wet soils, but winterberry is
somewhat adaptable to soils that are occasionally dry provided
ample watering and rich vegetative mulch. Chlorosis and stunt-
ing will occur in alkaline pH soils. It is best to place the plants
into their permanent positions as soon as possible, as transplant-
ing of mature plants may prove difficult.

LORE

Native Americans used various parts of winterberry for treat-
ment of upset stomach, fever, lethargy, hay fever and diarrhea,
hence the common name ‘fever bush’ and a tea was made from
the dried and crumbled leaves. However, the fruit and leaves of
Winterberry contain a potential array of toxins that can result in
moderate to severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. So, we high-
ly recommend using winterberry for more traditional uses of
beautifying you landscape and perhaps taking cuttings of the
berry laden branches to grace your holiday table - they will last
a long, long time!

Bob Edelen, DNPS Member

Photo: Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA
SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field
office illustrated guide to plant species.
Midwest National Technical Center, Lin-
coln, NE. Courtesy of USDA NRCS
Wetland Science Institute.

Resources & Reviews

Wildflowers and Winter Weeds

Authored by Lauren Brown. This book is specifically aimed toward winter identification of 135 common species of wildflowers and
“weeds.” Each plant is superbly illustrated with a full page drawing accompanied by an elegant description of the plant.

The Turk’s Cap, Volume 9, Number 4

Page

Resources & Reviews

Winter Botany

Authored by William Trelease. Identify over 1,000 species of vines, shrubs and trees in winter — most from
northern U.S. with typical southern species — (including gingko, bald cypress, poplar) by examining twigs,
bark, buds, leaf scars, berries, other characteristics. Includes excellent key and drawings of particular identify-
ing characteristics for each species. Over 1,000 illustrations.

Fea ture Article

Continued from page 3

mature forest on the other two sides.

On 4 September 2003, Keith Clancy met with Rob Line
(manager of the Cedar Creek Natural Area) to discuss details of
the reforestation project.

Keith Clancy met with Chris Bennett (assistant land manager of
the Cedar Creek Natural Area) on 8 September 2003 to perform
a site visit and go over details of the project.

In mid-September 2003, the site was mowed for the last time
by staff of the Division of Parks and Recreation.

Field work at this site was done over a five-week period from 4
October 2003-16 November 2003, and resulted in the plant-
ing of 9,844 seeds at 2,461 flags. Most of the seeds were col-
lected from the adjacent forest along Cedar Creek, but we also
collected from other forests within the same watershed. We had
numerous volunteers helping with the seeding of this site, in-
cluding DNPS members, the general public, and even a girl
scout troop from Washington DC!

The first survey for germination success, conducted on 15 May
2004, yielded nothing! Not one seedling was located.

On 17 May 2004 another survey for germination success yield-
ed a few oak seedlings along with one dogwood seedling.

More surveying was done on 30 May 2004 and more seedlings
were located and 43 tree tubes were installed.

Fifty more tree tubes were installed on 31 May 2004.

Additional surveys for seedlings on 5 June 2004 located 662
flags with 404 seedlings. At the time, we extrapolated that data
over the entire field, and it yielded a result of approximately
1 ,485 seedlings existing in the field overall. Seventy-seven
seedlings not at flags were also found.

installed in 2004.

Eric Zuelke met with Rob Line on 25 July 2006 and discussed
how Mr. Line has been leading the way in management of this
site. He and his crews have been targeting select non-native
invasive species for eradication. Some of these species include
mimosa, locust trees, and multi-flora rose. Mr. Line and Eric
perused tire site for two hours talking about future management
strategies and issues. We noticed that some of the trees previ-
ously treated with Garlon (an herbicide applied directly to the
bark) did not totally die and we discussed different methods of
dealing with these plants. We also targeted a few more species
in need of control in order to improve the site. Overall, the site
looks good and is well on its way to becoming a mixed loblolly
pine/hardwood forest (approximately 50% softwoods & 50%
hardwoods). There are some portions of the site that had 0%
germination success, and other portions that had upwards of
50%-75% germination success. Additionally, we noticed many
volunteer oaks and hickories growing along the edges of the
site near the bordering mature forest, so the site is slowly mov-
ing in from the edges. Many of the pre viously installed tree
tubes have been removed because they were doing more harm
than good to the plants as they had fallen over and were smoth-
ering the plants. We felt removing the tree tubes was appropri-
ate because we only observed a small amount of deer browse
damage.

As of October 2006, we are generally pleased with the direction
our reforestation sites are heading. There is a general consensus
between all the experts involved that these four fallow fields we
chose to reforest would have eventually become forest anyway,
but that we have given them a 1 0-20 year head start. All of the
sites have their pros and cons and they all have future challeng-
es, particularly in terms of handling the rampant growth of
sweet gum, and non-native invasive species. Management
chores will be an annual undertaking, but we expected that
when we started out on these projects, and with our collective
knowledge and dedication, we will prevail in our efforts to
make these little corners of Delaware beautiful places once
again, and we will keep the DNPS members abreast of how
things are going on a continual basis.

Between 4 July 2004-21 August 2004 volunteers installed 471 We extend our deepest thanks to all those individuals, DNPS
tree tubes around seedlings. members and non-members alike, who committed time and

sweat to these projects; we could not have done them without

Approximately 200-300 tree tubes were still in place on 30 your help. In addition, our thanks go out to Rob Line, Mark

April 2005, most contained healthy plants. Again, it is not DelVecchio, Wes Conley, and Rob Gano with DNREC,

clear what happened to the other half of the tree tubes that were and Annabella Larsen and George O Shea at Prime Hook. ^ 7

The Turk’s Cap, Volume 9, Number 4

Page

DELAWARE NATIVE PLANTS

FOR

LANDSCAPING AND RESTORATION

Recommended Species for the Property Owner and Land Steward

Second Edition

You may have heard the rumors, you may have read the teases in The Turk’s Cap eluding to a new homeowner
native plant booklet, you may have even purchased one already (we’re a little late with this announcement),
but regardless of all that, it’s here! ! ! !

The Second Edition of the DE Native Plant Society’s Delaware Native Plants for Landscaping and Restoration
is now available!

With an additional 2 pages of information, and an additional 44 new species, and one whole new section on
ground covers, this new booklet is a veritable cornucopia of information. It even has a new color scheme!

It’s still only $5.00, and we have plenty of them to go around. It’s a great resource for anyone venturing into
native gardening-or for those with established gardens, a good source of inspiration for new species to add.
We’ve had many people order them as gifts too.

Resources & Reviews

Winter Tree Finder ( Nature Study Guides )

Authored by May T. Watts and Tom Watts, contains wonderfully clear illustrations showing the branch pat-
tern, bud shape, fruit, and appearance of all the major midwestern and eastern tree species. You can find more
comprehensive tree books, but not one that better combines breadth and utility.

The Turk’s Cap, Volume 9, Number 4

Page

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, 19 January 2007 — DNPS bi-montly meeting. We originally had a winter plant identifica-

~ ’ TION WORKSHOP SCHEDULED FOR THE PROGRAM FOR THIS MEETING, BUT CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE FORCED US TO ““

-= — CHANGE OUR PLANS AND WE WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION ON SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION INSTEAD. — -

6 & 7 February 2007— The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania will be holding

' ' THEIR 17th ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM: NATURE’S UNSEEN INFLUENCES AND THE ART OF GARDEN DESIGN. THIS TWO-

DAY SYMPOSIUM WILL BE HELD ON TWO DIFFERENT SETS OF DATES AT TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN FEBRUARY. —

— — The locations are in PA and CT. For more information on the PA location event call 215.247.5777, _

OR ON THE WEB AT http://WWW.BUSINESS-SERVICES.UPENN.EDU/ARBORETUM/SYMPOSIA2.HTML

’ Saturday, 10 February 2007 — DNPS seed propagation workshop: A reprise of our popular 2005

— workshop. We are currently working on the finishing touches for this workshop. Please call
_ 302.653.6449 FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO REGISTER.

Saturday, 10 February 2007 — Keys to plant identification program by the Maryland Native
Plant Society. This program is designed for those with little or no experience and will focus on

™ IDENTIFYING TREES USING THEIR TWIGS AND BARK AND HAS A $3 REGISTRATION FEE. EMAIL ~ -

„ KMOLINES@CHESAPEAKE.NET FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR ON THE WEB AT HTTPV/WWW.MDFLORA.ORG/EVENTS/ __
TRIPS .HTML#KEYPID

“ Thursday, 15 February 2007 — Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve 7th annual land ethics “

— Symposium: Creative approaches for ecological landscaping. This day-long symposium will be
held in Langhorne PA, and will focus on ways that environmental professionals can create

ECONOMICAL AND ECOLOGICALLY BALANCED LANDSCAPES USING NATIVE PLANTS AND RESTORATION
’ TECHNIQUES. KEYNOTE SPEAKER IS DR. ROGER LATHAM. CALL 215.862.2924 FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR ON
THE WEB AT http://WWW.BHWP.ORG/NEWS_MEDIA/2006_SYMPOSIUM_7TH.HTM

_ , DNPS Bi-monthly meetings for 2007 — are currently scheduled for 16 JANUARY, 19 March, May
(annual meeting-more details to come), 17 July, 18 September, 3 November (not a meeting, but the
annual plant sale) and 20 November. All meetings are on the third Tuesday of every other month

— at the St. Jones Reserve at 7 PM, unless otherwise noted. — - -

The Turk’s Cap, Volume 9, Number 4

Page

Membership Application

g

L ». ». ». ». _ ,

Member Information

Delaware native Plant Society

Name:

Business Name or Organization:

Address:

City and Zip Code:

Telephone (home/work):

E-mail address:

" Full-time Student $10.00
" Individual $15.00
" Family or Household $18.00
" Contributing $50.00
" Business $100.00
" Lifetime $500.00
" Donations are also welcome $_

Membership benefits include:

* The DNPS quarterly newsletter, The Turk’s Cap

* Native plant gardening and landscaping information

* Speakers, field trips, native plant nursery and sales

Total Amount Enclosed: $

Make check payable to:

DE Native Plant Society
P.O. Box 369, Dover, DE 19903

Delaware Native Plant Society

P.O. Box 369

Dover, Delaware 19903

Complimentary Copy