NOVEMBER 2023 VOL. 18 NO. 9
WWW.WASHINGTONGARDENER.COM
WASHINGTON
gardener
the magazine for gardening enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlantic region
USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map Attracting Dark-eyed Juncos
Meet Miss Floribunda
Butterfly Pea Cocktail
Collards: A Cold-hardy Green
Plant Properly to Prevent Ambrosia Beetles A Visit to Paxson Hill Farm Great Gardening Books Reviewed Fragrant Desert Orchid: A New Native Hybrid
Messy and Marvelous
Sweetgum Tree
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Are you trying to reach thousands of gardeners in the greater DC region/Mid-Atlantic area? Washington Gardener Magazine goes out on the 15th of every month. Contact KathyJentz@gmail.com or call 301.588-6894 for ad rates (starting from $200). The ad deadline is the 10th of each month. Please submit your ad directly to: KathyJentz@gmail.com.
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RESOURCESsourc
Need a Garden Club Speaker?
Washington Gardener Magazine’s staff and writers are available to speak to groups and garden clubs in the DC region and ONLINE! Call 240.603.1461 or email KathyJentz@gmail.com for available dates, rates, and topics.
RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL PLANTS FOR THE DISCRIMINATING GARDENER AND COLLECTOR Barry Glick Sunshine Farm and Gardens 696 Glicks Road Renick, WV 24966, USA Email: barry@sunfarm.com
www.sunfarm.com
Green Spring Gardens
Ask Maryland’s Garden Experts extension.umd.edu/hgic
2 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023
A “must visit” for everyone in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area. It’s a year-round goldmine of information and inspiration for the home gardener. It’s an outdoor classroom for children and www.greenspring.org their families to learn about plants and wildlife. It’s also a museum, a national historic site that offers glimpses into a long, rich history with colonial origins. Located at 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA. Information: 703-642-5173.
INSIDEcontents
FEATURES and COLUMNS
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El Niño Desert Orchid is a completely new plant! It is a hybrid between a Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) and Catalpa (Catalpa sp.). Both plants are native to North America and have passed on some neat characteristics to this remarkable new fragrant flowering plant.
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Got a Garden Question?
Send your questions to KathyJentz@gmail.com and use the subject line “Q&A.” Then look for your answered questions in upcoming issues.
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BIRDwatch 22 Dark-eyed Juncos BOOKreviews 20-21 Container Food Gardening, Grasses, Happy Plants COCKTAILhour 8 Butterfly Pea Cocktail DAYtrip 6-7 Paxson Hill Farm EDIBLEharvest 16-17 Collards INSECTindex 15 Ambrosia Beetles and Proper Tree Planting Depths NEIGHBORnetwork 18-19 Victoria Boucher NEWPLANTspotlight 11 Desert Orchid PLANTprofile 14 Sweetgum Tree TIPStricks 10 Updated USDA Hardiness Zone Map Released
DEPARTMENTS
ADVERTISINGindex BLOGlinks EDITORletter GARDENDCpodcasts LOCALevents MONTHLYtasklist NEXTissue READERcontest READERreactions RESOURCESsources
Since 2008, Victoria Boucher has been writing a monthly gardening advice column for the Hyattsville Life and Times called “Miss Floribunda.” Meet the fascinating woman behind this wonderful growing wisdom.
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ON THE COVER
22 Dark-eyed Juncos, like other ground-foraging birds, will appreciate a scattering of white millet seeds.
A Sweetgum Tree ball amongst the tree’s fallen leaves in Silver Spring, MD.
In our December issue: Winter Flowers Local Gardens Garden Design Tips and much more . . .
Be sure you are subscribed!
Click on the “subscribe” link at washingtongardener.com NOVEMBER 2023 WASHINGTON GARDENER 3
EDITORletter
Credits Kathy Jentz Editor/Publisher Washington Gardener 826 Philadelphia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301-588-6894 kathyjentz@gmail.com www.washingtongardener.com Ruth E. Thaler-Carter Proofreader Christine Folivi Intern Subscription: $20.00
Your editor (second from left in the back row) at the annual Veteran’s Day bulb planting by the Silver Spring Garden Club at Jesup Blair Park in Silver Spring, MD.
Another Unusual Year
This year is flying by. Looking back on all I’ve accomplished, I’m amazed I fit it all in—from my new book about groundcovers that came out in February to all my garden travels (Minneapolis, Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago, and Philadelphia)—it has been a whirlwind of a year. Alas, I fear my garden has suffered severe neglect, so one of my 2024 goals will be to devote some time getting some of the weeds tamed and beds replanted entirely because so much of it has gone wild (and not in a good way!). The weather this year was one hampering factor. Mainly, it was just the sheer lack of rain. Any precious garden time I had was mostly spent just running around watering things to keep them alive. I fear what next spring will look like when I assess which plants didn’t survive the odd months of drought here. (Ironically, I’m writing this letter on a day of heavy rains.) All the predictions and indicators for this winter are for a heavy snow year. I cannot say I am happy about that. Sure, it is much-needed precipitation, but the frozen kind has never been something I enjoyed. We’ll see soon enough if the weather predictions are true. This issue contains the news of a newly updated USDA hardiness zone map. Nothing in it should be a surprise to any active gardener. We all already knew we were a half-zone higher (or more) than the previous zone charts had indicated. It is good, though, to have that verified and confirmed scientifically. Isn’t it nice when someone confirms a belief you have? I always say the best speakers and writers are those who tell you what you are already know, but simply hadn’t been able to articulate before. When I give talks and see a lot of nodding heads in the audience, it is better than any applause could ever be. Looking back at 2023, it wasn’t the best gardening year we’ve had in our region, although certainly not among the worst. Still, I look forward to 2024 and what I’m sure will be another unusual and noteworthy year. Sincerely,
Kathy Jentz, Editor/Publisher, Washington Gardener, KathyJentz@gmail.com 4 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023
• Washington Gardener Blog: www.washingtongardener.blogspot.com • Washington Gardener Archives: http://issuu.com/washingtongardener • Washington Gardener Discussion Group: https://groups.google.com/g/ washingtongardener/ • Washington Gardener Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/WDCGardener • Washington Gardener Instagram: www.instagram.com/wdcgardener • Washington Gardener Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ WashingtonGardenerMagazine/ • Washington Gardener YouTube: www.youtube.com/ washingtongardenermagazine • Washington Gardener Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/wdcgardener • Washington Gardener BookShop: bookshop.org/shop/WDCgardener • Washington Gardener Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/ show/gardendc/ • Washington Gardener is a woman-owned business. We are proud to be members of: · GardenComm (formerly GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators) · Green America Business Network · National Garden Bureau · One Montgomery Green · Ladies in the Landscape · Potomac Rose Society
Volume 18, Number 9 ISSN 1555-8959 © 2023 Washington Gardener All rights reserved. Published monthly. No material may be reproduced without prior written permission. This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that the information presented is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher as to legality, completeness, or technical accuracy. All uncredited photos in this issue are © Kathy Jentz.
READERcontt
Reader Contest
For our November 2023 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away The Garden Journal by Linda Vater ($30.00 prize value) from Cool Springs Press. Compiled by gardener, author, and QVC host Linda Vater, The Garden Journal is an essential record-keeping tool for every gardener, no matter what you grow. From daily happenings and garden successes to plant lists, variety names, and seasonal to-dos, you’ll be able to stay organized and keep a carefully curated record of current activities and future tasks. This gorgeous journal acts as a logbook and guide through five years of your garden’s life. Keeping track of success and failures, wishes and wants, has never been more beautiful! To enter, send an email to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on November 30 with “The Garden Journal” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in this issue and why. Include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on or shortly after December 1. o
Your Ad Here
Are you trying to reach thousands of gardeners in the greater DC region/MidAtlantic area? Washington Gardener Magazine goes out in the middle of every month. Contact KathyJentz@gmail.com or call 301.588.6894 for ad rates (starting from $200). The ad deadline is the 5th of each month. Please submit your ad directly to: KathyJentz@gmail.com.
Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR) is an easy program to participate in and really does not take any extra resources than what you may have in your garden. In normal times, about 35 million people wonder where their next meal will come from. Most of these are children. That’s where PAR steps in. PAR is such a simple program: It urges gardeners to Plant A Row (or a container) dedicated to feeding the hungry, and then take the harvest to someplace or someone that needs it. Once you have donated, send an email to KathyJentz@gmail.com with the total (in pounds and ounces) of what you gave. That is all there is to it. Easy. Effective. Adaptable and Helpful.
READERreactions
Reader Comments My sister won’t shut up about murder hornets so the article in the October 2023 issue was handy. I have bought two Christmas gifts from the best garden books article. Saved the pumpkin article for next year. But the one I found MOST immediately useful was about how to save my special begonias for next year. I’ve never tried anything like this before! It gave me courage and easy steps so I’m in! Thank you for this and the pod, too. ~ Jane Beard I really enjoyed the October 2023 issue, especially the lovely photo on the front cover. My favorite article was about “Poetry in the Garden” in Greenbelt, MD. I hope to make contact with the author and participate sometime. It is great to hear about a nature-oriented organization close to my home in Prince George’s County. ~ John Rebstock, Cheverly, MD My favorite article in the October 2023 issue was the short one on Salvia guarantica just because I love the plant. I had trouble establishing it for a few years and suddenly it is big and beautiful and full of pollinators, so it was fun to see it highlighted. ~ Wendy Bell, Takoma Park, MD My favorite article in the Washington Gardener Magazine October 2023 issue was the one titled “Pumpkin: The Fruit That Nourished a Nation.” I love the cover photo for the vibrancy and variety of the squash fruits, but the article was a great reminder of how I ended up with volunteer pumpkins that sprout out of my composted garden beds every year and grow vigorously to produce scrumptious pie pumpkins! It was because of the native Americans who cultivated the plant as one of the cornerstone foods of the American beans-squash-corn trifecta. Thank you for your work! ~ Douglas Reimel, Clarksburg, MD I appreciate the article “Five Steps for Saving Tuberous Begonias” because I have one I’d like to save, but my favorite article is “Fall Landscape Care with Pollinators in Mind” because helping wildlife is so important. ~ Mary Finelli, Silver Spring, MD o NOVEMBER 2023 WASHINGTON GARDENER 5
DAYtrip
Paxson Hill Farm
By Kathy Jentz Paxson Hill Farm is a nursery and public garden in New Hope, Pennsylvania. This 30-acre property in beautiful Bucks County has been awarded the Accredited Level 1 Arboretum of the ArbNet Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. More than 200 species of trees and shrubs have been cataloged in an ongoing effort to document the collection that numbers in the thousands. I was lucky enough to visit there in person this past September and was amazed at the variety of garden rooms and the garden art featured throughout the property. The photos in this spread give a small hint of what you will see there when you visit Paxson Hill. The nursery is reason enough to visit for its interesting and exciting selection of various rare and exotic perennials, annuals, and trees. They even offer a service for storing your tropical plants over the winter in their greenhouse. After my visit, I was intrigued enough to research a bit about the business and find out more. I contacted the staff and owners, who shared some of the background and details of this amazing property. Bruce Gangawer, lead designer at Paxson Hill Farm, said, “We got here in April of 1997. I don’t think we really opened until April of 1999. We started 6 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023
out growing plants I had a hard time finding in the trade. We got away from that and started growing a bit of everything, but I’m going back to just growing plants I want that I have trouble finding. “When we got here, the property was primarily open lawns, a runway for the previous owner’s planes, a few older trees, and some farm fields. Being a gardener/plant addict made it impossible for me to leave everything as lawn. Over time, I kept adding gardens until I turned it into what it is. “We were originally letting people wander for free, but as I kept adding gardens and it got more popular we realized if we charged an entrance fee, we would have fewer destructive people coming. It was a bit surprising how many people thought nothing of walking through beds, throwing rocks at the koi, and carving their names into trees or stones. It also allowed me to hire some full-time gardeners to maintain what I had put in and made it easier to keep adding to the gardens.” The gardens include many surprises. The separate areas include shade gardens, formal gardens, wetlands, a conifer garden, a bell garden, and a place they call “the land of misfit plants.” “I’ve been lucky enough to travel a lot of the world, so I’m sure that’s influenced my designs, but I can’t pick out any specific thing,” explained Gangawer. When I asked about their future
DAYtrip garden plans, Gangawer shared that, “Unfortunately, my partner in this venture passed away this year and his will is a nightmare of poor planning and bad advice, so at this point, I’m not sure if I’ll be staying here or if I’ll be starting over somewhere new. My advice to anyone with a complicated will is to hire an estate attorney. Don’t have your ‘friend’ the lawyer do it. If I end up staying, I’ll be adding more to areas that were farm fields and removing some of the plants that are now considered invasive that were planted 20 years ago.” Richard Huff, one of the gardeners at Paxson Hill Farm, commented, “Across the board, people love coming here and are happy they discovered it. I’ve heard many comparisons to Grounds for Sculpture and several people have said it’s like a smaller, more intimate Longwood Gardens. My own observations are that people step out of the world here and become immersed in a place that’s peaceful, almost holy, surrounded by beauty and nature. I never see people on their phones (unless they’re taking pictures) and I love when people bring their children here, and tell them so.”
How to Visit
Paxson Hill Farm Nursery & Gardens i s at 3265 Comfort Road, New Hope, PA. The nursery area is free and there is a small fee for exploring the gardens. They are open March 15 through December 23 and by appointment only during the winter months. The regular hours are Monday–Saturday, 9am to 5pm, and Sundays, 10am to 5pm. Find out more by going to https:// www.paxsonhillfarm.com/. o Kathy Jentz is the editor and founder of Washington Gardener.
NOVEMBER 2023 WASHINGTON GARDENER 7
COCKTAILhour
The Butterfly Pea Cocktail
By Kathy Jentz
Last year, I grew the Butterfly Pea plant (Clitoria ternatea) from seeds that were given out at our annual Washington Gardener Seed Exchange. I saved a few of the flowers and dried them for use in this recipe. You can also purchase dried Butterfly Pea flowers or tea online. The rest of this cocktail’s ingredients are common and easy to obtain. For our recipe, you’ll need: • 4–6 dried Butterfly Pea flowers • 2 cups hot water • 2 shots vodka, gin, or tequila* • ¼ cup lemon or lime juice • ¼ cup simple syrup or sugar • fresh lavender sprigs *Leave out in mocktail version. 8 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023
To create the cocktail, steep the Butterrfly Pea flowers or tea in hot water and then let it cool to room temperature. Fill a highball glass about halfway with ice and pour in a half-cup or so of the cooled Butterfly Pea tea. Next, add a shot of the alcohol of your choice (leave it out if you want a nonalcoholic version). Add a couple tablespoons of simple syrup and then squeeze in some lemon or llime juice. Mix. Finally, garnish with a few sprigs of lavender flowers. Serve and enjoy. The “magic” color-changing effect is quite dramatic when you add the lemon juice in. The acid from the juice turns the blue tea to purple, You can see that transformation in our TikTok video
(@wdcgardener/). Honestly, the Butterfly Pea tea itself is not the greatest tasting drink. Some describe it as a weak or musky flavor. However, when using it in this cocktail, the tea flavor is so light that you won’t even notice it. Additional variations on this recipe can be created by using flavored simple syrups (try ginger) or infused vodka, gin, or tequila. o Kathy Jentz is the editor of Washington Gardener. “CocktailHour” is a new semi-regular column that will feature flower-based or flowerinspired drinks. Readers are encouraged to share their favorite flower drink recipes and adaptations by emailing them to editor KathyJentz@gmail.com.
Discover the Netherlands Garden Tour with Kathy Jentz Experience the beauty of Dutch gardens and horticulture on our Discover the Netherlands Tour from April 16–25, 2024! Join Washington Gardener Magazine editor Kathy Jentz on this once-in-alifetime garden adventure. We will visit private and public gardens, nurseries, test gardens, flower shows, and more. Highlights include the Keukenhof Gardens, Hortus Botanicus Leiden, and the FloraHolland Flower Auction. Accommodations are in 4-star hotels, and most meals are included. • Space is limited to the first 20 guests who sign up. • Pricing starts at $4,985 per person. • For full details and registration, go to: https://tinyurl.com/HollandTourwithKJ
NOVEMBER 2023 WASHINGTON GARDENER 9
TIPStricks
USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM), updating this valuable tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 2012. USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The new map—jointly developed by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Oregon State University (OSU) PRISM Climate Group— is more accurate and contains greater detail than prior versions. It is online at https://planthardiness. ars.usda.gov/. In addition to the map updates, the Plant Hardiness Zone Map website was expanded in 2023 to include a “Tips for Growers” section, which provides information about USDA ARS research programs of interest to gardeners and others who grow and breed plants. The 2023 map is based on 30-year averages of the lowest annual winter temperatures at specific locations, divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones, and further divided into 5-degree Fahrenheit half-zones. Like the 2012 map, the 2023 web version offers a Geographic Information System (GIS)based interactive format and is specifically designed to be user-friendly. Notably, the 2023 map delivers several new, significant features and advances, including incorporating data from 13,412 weather stations compared to the 7,983 that were used for the 2012 map. Furthermore, the new map’s rendering for Alaska is now at a much more detailed resolution (down from a 6 ¼-square-mile area of detail to a ¼square mile). “These updates reflect our ongoing commitment to ensuring the Plant Hardiness Zone Map remains a premier source of information that gardeners, growers, and researchers alike can use, whether they’re located in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico,” said ARS Administrator Dr. Simon Liu. Approximately 80 million American gardeners and growers represent the most frequent users of the USDA Plant 10 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023
Hardiness Zone Map. However, they’re not the only ones with a need for this hardiness information. For example, the USDA Risk Management Agency refers to the map’s plant hardiness zone designations to set certain crop insurance standards. Scientists incorporate the plant hardiness zones as a data layer in many research models, such as those modeling the spread of exotic weeds and insects. Plant hardiness zone designations represent what’s known as the “average annual extreme minimum temperature” at a given location during a particular time period (30 years, in this instance). Put another way, the designations do not reflect the coldest it has ever been or ever will be at a specific location, but simply the average lowest winter temperature for the location over a specified time. Low temperature during the winter is a crucial factor in the survival of plants at specific locations. As with the 2012 map, the new version has 13 zones across the United States and its territories. Each zone is broken into half zones, designated as “A” and “B.” For example, Zone 7 is divided into 7a and 7b half zones. When compared to the 2012 map, the 2023 version reveals that about half of the country shifted to the nextwarmer half zone, and the other half of the country remained in the same half zone. That shift to the next-warmer half zone means those areas warmed somewhere in the range of 0–5 degrees Fahrenheit; however, some locations experienced warming in that range without moving to another half zone. These national differences in zonal boundaries are mostly a result of incor-
porating temperature data from a more recent time period. The 2023 map includes data measured at weather stations from 1991 to 2020. Notably, the 2023 map for Alaska is “warmer” than the 2012 version. That’s mainly because the new map uses more data representing the state’s mountain regions where, during winter, warm air overlies cold air that settles into lowelevation valleys, creating warmer temperatures. The annual extreme minimum temperature represents the coldest night of the year, which can be highly variable from year to year, depending on local weather patterns. Some changes in zonal boundaries are also the result of using increasingly sophisticated mapping methods and the inclusion of data from more weather stations. Temperature updates to plant hardiness zones do not necessarily reflect of global climate change because of the highly variable nature of the extreme minimum temperature of the year, as well as the use of increasingly sophisticated mapping methods and the inclusion of data from more weather stations. Consequently, map developers involved in the project cautioned against attributing temperature updates made to some zones as reliable and accurate indicators of global climate change (which is usually based on trends in overall average temperatures recorded over long time periods). Although a paper version of the 2023 map will not be available for purchase from the government, anyone may download the new map free of charge and print copies as needed. o
GARDENnews
Quick Links to Recent Washington Gardener Blog Posts • Ninebark Plant Profile • Growing Jujube Fruits • Exploring Scent in the Garden • Winter Prep
See more Washington Gardener blog posts
at WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com o
November–December Garden To-do List New Plant Spotlight Chitalpa - El Niño™ (×Chitalpa ‘NCXC1’ PPAF) This Desert Orchid from the Proven Winners ColorChoice Flowering Shrubs collection has remarkable blooms and beautiful fragrance. El Niño™ Desert Orchid is a new and very special North American native hybrid that is as easy to grow as it is beautiful. This plant is practically a unicorn. It’s a hybrid of two incredible North American natives: desert willow and catalpa. This resulted in lovely flowers that somehow look like both orchids and snapdragons, but are much easier to care for than either of those plants. You’ll get to enjoy these sweetly scented blooms starting in late spring or early summer, depending on where you live, and then sporadically throughout the summer.
Photos courtesy of Spring Meadows Nursery, Proven Winners ColorChoice Collection.
Plant Facts: • USDA hardiness zones: 6–9 (-10°F/-23°C) • Height x Width: 5–8' tall x 4–6' wide • Exposure: Sun or part shade • Season of interest: Summer • Breeder: Dr. Tom Ranney • Blooms on old and new wood • Prune to shape in early spring • New introduction for 2023 o
• Switch your deer-deterrent spray if you’ve been using the same one for several months. Re-apply after heavy rains. • Have your soil tested at least once every three years. • Cover carrots and other root crops with straw to extend the harvest season. • Deadhead spent mums and plant them if they are still in pots. • Don’t panic over leaf/needle drop on established evergreen shrubs and rhododendrons. It is normal for them to shed a third at this time of year. • Bulb foliage already starting to surface? Don’t fret. It is also normal and will not affect next year’s blooms. • Check for vole problems and set out traps. • Caulk and seal your home to prevent wildlife from coming indoors. • Protect fig trees from freezing by piling leaves around them. • Clean the leaves of your indoor houseplants to prevent dust and film build-up. • Collect plant seeds for next year’s planting and trading. • Turn off outdoor water valve and store hoses. • Store terra cotta pots in a shed or protected area. • Prune and mulch hybrid tea roses. • Harvest the last of your vegetables and till compost into the beds. • Plant garlic for harvest next spring. • Force spring bulbs for indoor blooms this January by potting them up, watering thoroughly, and placing them in your vegetable crisper for about 10 weeks. • Remove this year’s fruiting raspberry canes down to the ground. • Clean out your ponds and compost annual plants. Move hardy plants to deeper water. Cover with netting to block falling leaves. • Clean, sharpen, and store your garden tools. • Reduce fertilizing of indoor plants (except cyclamen). • Set up a humidifier for indoor plants or at least place them in pebble trays. • Vacuum up any ladybugs that come into the house and release outside. • Rotate houseplants to promote even growth. • Pot up Paperwhites and Amaryllis for holiday blooming. • Water evergreens and new plantings to keep them hydrated this winter. • Fertilize your lawn and re-seed if needed. • Transplant trees and shrubs. • Continue to divide and transplant perennials. • Rake leaves, shred, and gather in compost piles. • Start feeding birds to get them in the habit for winter. • Attend a local garden club meeting. • Turn your compost pile weekly and don’t let it dry out. Work compost into your planting beds. • Plant evergreens for winter interest. • Weed. • Take a break from holiday stress to enjoy your garden. • Do not place live wreaths or greenery between your door and a glass storm door, especially if the doorway is facing south. This placement will “cook” the arrangement on a sunny day. • Sign up all your friends and family for garden magazine subscriptions as holiday gifts. o NOVEMBER 2023 WASHINGTON GARDENER 11
B R O O K S I D E
G A R D E N S
November 17, 2023, through December 31, 2023 (Closed November 20–23 and December 24–25)
Brookside Gardens transforms into a magical winter wonderland for the annual Garden of Lights display. Stroll through the one-half mile, outdoor, walk through exhibit and enjoy the twinkling lights and glimmering one-of-a-kind displays adorning the flowerbeds and grounds throughout the 50 acre horticultural gem in Wheaton. Shop for unique seasonal items at the Gift Shop Hot chocolate and light snacks available for purchase
BROOKSIDE GARDENS 1500 and 1800 Glenallan Avenue | Wheaton, Maryland 20902 303-962-1400 | BrooksideGardens.org 12 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023
Tickets: Timed-entry tickets available at GardenofLights.org $10 per person, ages 5 and older Visitors must arrive within their half-hour time slot
TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS Classes, Events, and Plant Shows/Sales • November 17, every night through December 31, 2023, except November 20–23 and December 24–25, 2023. Brookside Gardens Garden of Lights The Garden of Lights display transforms Brookside Gardens into a magical winter wonderland. Stroll through the halfmile outdoor walk-through exhibit and enjoy the twinkling lights and glimmering one-of-a-kind displays adorning the flowerbeds and grounds throughout the 50-acre horticultural gem in Wheaton, MD. Tickets are $10 per person, age 5 and older, and are only available to purchase online at Eventbrite.com. Garden of Lights is an outdoor, rain or shine event. Dress accordingly. • November 23 through January 1 Season’s Greenings at USBG The popular annual holiday display at the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) will run from Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2023, through New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2024; closed on Dec. 25. G-gauge model trains will run between 10:00am and 5:00pm each day in the gated outdoor gardens, and the Conservatory will feature poinsettias, holiday decor, and DC landmarks made from plants. Throughout the outdoor gardens, discover trees and shrubs lit with string lights, festive evergreens and decorations, and six large plant-based sculptures of pollinators on display. Tickets are not required to view the trains or any part of the USBG. Plan your visit at www.USBG. gov/SeasonsGreenings. • Tuesday and Thursday, November 28 and 30, 11:00am–5:00pm Poinsettia Sale The Horticulture Club at the Loudoun Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College is having a poinsettia sale. There will be 16 varieties, some unusual, all grown by students. Held at the Loudoun Campus Greenhouse, 46447 Ankers Shop Circle, Sterling, VA. • Thursday, November 30, 6:30–8pm Garden Book Club Meeting We will discuss Orchid Muse: A History of Obsession in Fifteen Flowers by Erica Hannickel. You can order
it new or used at our Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3Yoo42b or at our Bookshop store one: https://bookshop. org/a/79479/9780393867282. In the December 2022 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine, reviewer Jim Dronenburg wrote, “... even if you never intend to have, wear, or grow an orchid, it is a fascinating read.” The Washington Gardener Magazine’s Garden Book Club meets quarterly via Zoom and is free and open to all. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkc-ygrzMiH9z6ekl2ip3w n8PLuyFrG9r9. • Saturday, December 2 Two sessions available: 10am and 1pm Winter Wreath Workshop Create a beautiful winter wreath to take home for your front door after Green Spring staff members demonstrate the dazzling possibilities. Greens, forms, ribbon, and cones included in the $25 supply fee. Register for both the program and supply fee. Cost: $42 plus $25 supply fee. Held at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA. Register online at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ green-spring/winter-wreath-workshop/120223. • Saturday, December 9, 8:30am–12n Community Tree Planting at Catholic University of America Join Casey Trees at their last tree planting of the season. You provide the volunteers, they provide all the necessary tools and supplies to plant the trees. Participants will receive a hands-on training on site. After learning the tools and techniques, participants will be split up into groups supervised by a trained volunteer Team Leader and begin planting trees throughout the space. RSVP on Eventbrite and see more details at https://caseytrees.org/. • Sunday, December 10, 7:00pm Nature’s Best Hope! Join Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake and the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center Green Team for an evening with Doug Tallamy, Ph.D., professor of agriculture and natural resources in the University of Delaware’s Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology. Tal-
lamy will conduct an assessment/evaluation of what common garden practices have done to our national ecology and how even small, gradual changes in our (gardening) practices can bring hope for the survival of all of our wildlife. This event is live, in person. Registration is free, although donations of time and money will be accepted at the event. Details at www.omigreenteam.org. • Wednesday, December 13, 6–9pm Girls’ Night Out Visit the exquisitely decorated showroom, greenhouse, and nursery. Held at Homestead Gardens’ locations in Severna Park, MD, and Davidsonville, MD. See details at https://homesteadgardens.com/upcoming-event/girlsnight-out-md-2023/. • Thursday, December 14, 5–7pm Holiday Open House at River Farm Looking for a festive event to get you excited about the holiday season? Visit River Farm in Alexandria, VA, and enjoy live music by the talented musical trio “2 dames and a stand-up dude” in the decorated Manor House. Refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. Details and RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ river-farm-holiday-open-house-tickets759700162637.
Looking Ahead • January 10–12, 2024, MidAtlantic Nursery Tradeshow MANTS is one of the largest private trade shows serving the horticulture industry. Held at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD. Early-bird registration is now open at MANTS.com.
Event Listing Updates See updated event listings on the Washington Gardener discussion list. Join by emailing WashingtonGardenersubscribe@googlegroups.com.
How to Submit Events To submit an event for this listing, email washingtongardenermagazine@gmail. com with “Event” in the subject line. Our next deadline is December 5 for the December 2023 issue, for events taking place after December 15. o NOVEMBER 2023 WASHINGTON GARDENER 13
PLANTprofile
Sweetgum Tree By Kathy Jentz
The American Sweetgum Tree (Liquidamber styraciflua) is an attractive tree that is native to North America. It has beautiful fall foliage and unique, spiny fruit balls. The leaves have a camphor-like scent when crushed. The fruits are often called gumballs. They dry out in the autumn and then fall to the ground in great numbers. Crafters gather these balls to make holiday decorations and use them in floral arrangements. If you do not care for the fruit drop, select ‘Rotundiloba’, which is a non-fruiting cultivar. Sweetgum trees are hardy to USDA Zones 5 to 9. Plant it in full- to part-sun. Fertilize and water the tree consistently during the first few years after planting it. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and no longer needs fertilizer. It grows into a pleasing pyramid-like form naturally and should not need any pruning—other than to remove any damaged or diseased branches. The tree will grow to 50–80 feet high at maturity, but some dwarf and smaller versions are available as well. o Kathy Jentz is the editor of Washington Gardener.
14 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023
INSECTindex
Ambrosia beetles love it when you plant trees too deep! Here is how to avoid that fatal planting error. By Carol Allen Two highly destructive ambrosia beetles in ornamental nurseries are the (top) black stem borer Xylosandrus germanus and (bottom) granulate ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus crassiusculus. Photo courtesy of Chris Ranger, USDA ARS.
Ideally, we plant trees to complement our landscape, shade our house, and increase the biodiversity in our personal landscape. Homeowners have learned that what they plant can bring the additional benefits of pollinators and other beneficial insects to their garden. In turn, the insects attract songbirds, which not only amaze and entertain us, but add another branch to our backyard food chain. The species of tree we select should be based on suitability to the site as well as aesthetic considerations. If you have done your homework about site suitability and have gone to see the mature specimens in a botanic garden such as Brookside Gardens, you can feel pretty confident that you have chosen correctly. The savvy homeowner is aware that attracting insects to feed and create nectar on garden plants is a worthy goal. But where does one draw the line? When is an insect too much of a danger and not enough of a benefit? Generally, invasive species prove to be detrimental to our landscape plantings and it is those insects we work to discourage. Such is the case of the ambrosia beetle. In the Mid-Atlantic states, there are two species of ambrosia beetle of concern: black stem borer (Xylosandrus germanus) and granulate ambrosia
beetle (Xylosandrus crassiusculus). Both insects are native to Asia and will be especially attracted to stressed trees. There are many possible host trees. Pay particular attention to smooth-barked species such as figs, redbud, styrax, dogwood, maple, ornamental cherry, Japanese maples, and others. In the home landscape, these stressed trees are the ones that are planted too deep, are sitting in saturated soils, or are mulched too deep. In the nursery, growers can monitor ambrosia beetle activity with traps baited with ethyl alcohol. If that sounds like a strange lure, ethyl alcohol is released by stressed trees. The nursery can then spray with a preventive pesticide. Ambrosia beetles emerge in the early spring and females bore into the trunks of the host tree. Their frass (insect poop) extends from the entrance hole like a misshapen toothpick. The danger to the tree, beyond the original stress, is the fungus that enters the heartwood along with the beetle. The eggs are laid
in the tunnel and the larvae feed not on the wood of the tree, but the fungus that the female brings into the tree in the form of spores. It is that fungus that can kill the tree. (For more information, refer to the January 2016 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine.) For the homeowner, prevention is everything. When buying and planting new trees, find the root flare first. The root flare is the area of the tree where the trunk broadens out into the top of the roots. Place the root flare at grade (the level of the existing soil). To prepare the root ball, open the root mass; redirect the roots out laterally, not down; and alleviate any crossing or “J” roots. Dig the hole generously wider than the prepared root ball and no deeper. Backfill with the surrounding soil. Do not amend. Use an organic mulch (arborist wood chips or shredded hardwood) to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Cover the soil where the root ball is planted and out to the drip line of the tree. Keep the mulch away from the trunk. Water well. If you are not the person using the shovel, guide whoever is doing the digging to follow the technique above. Planting too deep is very common and easily avoidable. It means giving the new tree the best chance for a long and healthy life, ideally free of damage from ambrosia beetles. o Carol Allen describes herself as a committable plant-a-holic. She has more than 25 years’ experience in the horticulture industry, with a special interest in plant pests and diseases; is a Licensed Pesticide Applicator in the state of Maryland; and is an ISACertified Arborist. She can be contacted at carolallen@erols.com.
Sawdust tube produced by an ambrosia beetle on a dead redbay. Multiple species of ambrosia beetles attack redbays killed by Xyleborus glabratus and its associated fungus. Photo courtesy of Albert (Bud) Mayfield, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org. NOVEMBER 2023 WASHINGTON GARDENER 15
EDIBLEharvt
Collards: A Cold-hardy Green
By Barbara Melera
The astonishingly long history of collards as nutrition for the human race may be unequalled. Collards have been cooked and eaten since people discovered fire and what to do with it. This leafy vegetable is incredibly nutritious. It contains high concentrations of vitamins A, B, E, and K. The leaves contain lots of calcium and potassium. It is high in antioxidants. Collards have the ability to lower blood cholesterol levels—including LDL cholesterol.
Collard History
Collards are probably the earliest cultivated variations of the European wild cabbage. Kale is known to have been widely grown by both the Greeks and the Romans. From a scientific classification point of view, kale and collards are considered to be the same plant— just two different varieties. Sometimes collards are described as a kind of kale. However, diehard Southerners will tell you that collards are collards and kale is kale and they are very different. Kale, also known as Borecole, and collards are non-heading, leafy greens that are among the most cold-hardy vegetables grown. Kale is definitely a 16 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023
cool season crop whose sweet flavor is substantially enhanced when the plant is exposed to several hard frosts. Collards, on the other hand, thrive in the heat, but can withstand temperatures down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Collards are one of many members of the cabbage family, Brassicaceae or Cruciferae, also known as the crucifers, or the mustard family. It is one of the largest plant families in existence. Remarkably, all members of the cabbage family are believed to have descended from a single form of wild cabbage. This is truly extraordinary when you think of the considerable variety within this family, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, mustard, turnips, kale, and Swiss chard. Collards are believed to be closely related to kale, and botanically the two are nearly identical, but collards have never enjoyed the prestige of kale. One of the most “human” comments that has ever been written about collards came from David Landreth. In his 1848 catalog, he wrote, “The Collard is a long leaved variety of cabbage without head, cultivated at the South, principally by those who are not aware there are bet-
ter articles of the tribe. None who have once reared to perfection Landreth’s fine Drumhead or Flat Dutch (cabbages) will be satisfied to cultivate the collard.” Well, Southerners and many Northerners did not agree. The ‘Georgia’ or ‘Southern Collard’ was an important part of the American diet throughout all of the 1800s and possibly earlier, perhaps because it was so cold-hardy. In many areas, it could be grown throughout the winter. The collard was eaten fresh, cooked in soups and stews, pickled, sautéed, and fried. Like kale and several other members of the cabbage family, the flavor of collards improves dramatically after the plant has been exposed to several substantial frosts.
Growing Collards
‘Georgia Southern’ can be sown in late winter for a summer crop and in midsummer for a fall crop. In the spring, plant it as soon as the ground can be worked. The soil should be deeply spaded before planting. Rows should be 36 inches apart. When seedlings are 5 inches high, thin them, leaving 30 inches between plants. In the fall,
EDIBLEharvt
Preparing Collards
collards take approximately 75 days to mature, so in Zones 6–7, plant in late August or early September. In Hardiness Zones 8 and above, collards should not be planted until October. Adding lime to the soil before planting will sweeten the collard leaves. Exposure to frosts also sweetens collards. For best flavor, harvest collards after several frosts. All collards should be harvested continuously by picking the bottom leaves starting approximately 60 days after seeding. Never harvest older leaves because, like lettuce, the leaves become bitter.
Collards in Containers
Collards grow easily in containers. One collard plant can be grown in a 10- to 12-inch pot. The absolutely best soil mix for containers is 60% crummy backyard soil, 20% peat moss, and 20% dehydrated cow manure or—even better—compost. If you cannot use this backyard soil mix, then purchase topsoil (not potting soil, special soil mixes, premium soil). Mix the ingredients together and pour into a pot. If you are growing collards, please be aware of one incredibly important detail. The soil in containers warms much faster than in-ground soil. This means that you must start collard seeds two to four weeks earlier than you would normally: mid- to late winter probably. The plants will also mature at least two weeks earlier, so keep this in mind when harvesting.
Some people will tell you that collards, in particular, and kale less so, are an “acquired taste.” I disagree. I would say that collards and kale are victims of a lack of culinary knowledge. Let me explain. As a child growing up, I hated kale (we did not eat collards). When I was in my mid-20s, I became an assistant teacher in math for a middle school in the Watts section of Los Angeles. At that time and in that school, breakfast and lunch were prepared from scratch in the school cafeteria. If there was a dietary schedule, the chefs who cooked for us daily did not follow it. They prepared real food using their own recipes. My first day, I consumed an unbelievably delicious breakfast and was looking forward to lunch. When I arrived in the cafeteria, it was filled with scrumptious smells and the food line was populated with numerous choices. In one of the bins was a limp green vegetable, and I asked what it was. “Collard greens, honey,” I was told by one of the smiling chefs. “We have them everyday.” Noting the disgust on my face (I was trying really hard to hide it), she added, “Honey, try this.” She offered up a spoonful of the green stuff and because it was my first day, and I was trying to make friends, I scooped the green stuff off the spoon and stuffed it in my mouth. That is when the realization hit me. Those collards were some of the most delicious greens I had ever eaten. One of the many secret ingredients was nutmeg, but any way these chefs cooked collards, the results were out of this world, and they did cook them every day. When prepared well, collards are remarkably delicious. If you would like to learn how to prepare these vegetables well, I suggest you peruse genuine cookbooks from 60+-year-old African Americans who have cooked all of their lives. They know the secret ingredients to make collards sing. o Barbara Melera is president of Harvesting History (www.harvesting-history.com), a company that sells horticultural and agricultural products, largely of the heirloom variety, along with garden tools and equipment.
The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City is all about small-space gardening solutions! By Kathy Jentz and Teresa Speight
Published by Cool Springs Press/Quarto Homes
Order it today at: https://amzn.to/3yiLPKU
GardenDC Podcast
The GardenDC podcast is all about gardening in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic area. The program is hosted by Kathy Jentz, editor of Washington Gardener Magazine, and features guest experts in local and national horticulture. The latest episodes include interviews with experts on Figs, Fall Perennials, and Scent in the Garden. You can listen online at https:// washingtongardener.blogspot.com/ or on Spotify, Apple, etc. o NOVEMBER 2023 WASHINGTON GARDENER 17
NEIGHBORnwork
Meet Miss Floribunda
Victoria Boucher is also known as Miss Floribunda, her nom de plume as the garden columnist for the Hyattsville Life and Times newspaper. She is a wealth of gardening enthusiasm and wisdom. We recently asked her to share her a bit about herself with our readers. Tell us about you and your background. I grew up studying music, art, and literature, at one time training to become a concert pianist, though I was a good enough violinist to play in the GWU orchestra when I was in high school. At Maryland University, I ended up majoring in 17th-century English literature and minoring in Spanish literature, same era. However, I think I was genetically programmed to be an avid gardener and absolutely destined to write the Miss Floribunda column. My father, after retirement from his final career as a professor at Tuskegee University, owned and tended 12 acres of land surrounding the 1840s home, built by a freed slave, that he and my mother bought. Alabama summers were already so hot he couldn’t even pay anyone to help him weed for more than an hour at a time. During my visits, it was my delight to join him in weeding for most of the day, and we bonded while we sampled different varieties of his fruits and vegetables and discussed subtle differences in taste, various gardening vogues, etc. One afternoon, he turned to me and said, “You know, you come from a long line of farmers, teachers, and crackpots—and I think you combine all three.” I can’t think of a better description of Miss Floribunda. Aside from the garden made for me when I was a child by my grandmother, it wasn’t until I came to Hyattsville, MD, in 1998 that I had a real garden of my own. However, I always chose to live in garden apartments so I could have beds of flowers 18 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023
and vegetables. They sometimes got mown to the ground by overzealous groundkeepers. As a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in DC from 1980 to 2000, I tended and enhanced flower beds, filled the ornamental pots with geraniums and petunias, and established a vegetable garden for the families to enjoy. It proved both useful in a culinary way, and therapeutic, causing me to put up an ornamental sign that read, “In a garden there is hope.” It was fortunate that the van driver for the house was an avid fisherman and presented me with the results of his fish cleaning, because there is no more effective fertilizer in this world! I continue to meddle in the gardening of my relatives, planting spring bulbs for them in autumn, and replacing whatever has refused to thrive for them with easier alternatives. I was permitted to take over the gardens at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Hyattsville, MD, which had been swallowed up by cannas that refused to die in winter. The cannas proved popular at plant exchanges, and in their absence, I planted a pollinator garden surrounding the statue of St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology, and a Mary garden surrounding the statue of Our Lady. This last is filled with flowers that either are symbolic of her or have the true blue color associated with her. I would say that wherever I am, I just can’t keep my hands out of the earth. I identify with Anteus, who drew his strength from it. Even when walking the dog, I find myself removing volunteer tree seedlings from the alley ways. How did you get started writing the “Miss Floribunda” column? The Miss Floribunda column arose out of an effort back in 2007 to jump-start the venerable Hyattsville Horticultural Society (HHS), which had dwindled to one member in her 80s. A group of people from the Hyattsville Preservation Society met with her, and decided to revive it on a less exclusive basis. It was no longer limited to professional horticulturists but open to all. The problem was how to get the news out to people. That year, the local newspaper, the Hyattsville Life and Times (HL&T), was established. As secretary of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society, slipping into this from my role at that time as secretary of the Hyattsville Preservation Society, I approached a member of the HL&T board with the proposal of having a garden advice column and he was enthusiastic. When I returned to the new core group of HHS, a handful of people who would qualify as professional horticulturists, I being the only exception with nothing but one college course in botany to my credit, I volunteered to write the column on the condition that I would be allowed to pick their brains for reliable information. We would all be anonymous, but with pseudonyms based on our various characteristics. Our soil specialist, newly retired from heading the soil labs at the University of Maryland,
was Doctor Agronomosky; our native plant expert, Aunt Sioux; a USDA geneticist, Dr. Greengenes; my advisor on plant pathology, Cousin Moribunda; and because of my mania for floribunda roses, I dubbed myself “Miss Floribunda.” Occasionally, I do invent people out of thin air: for example, when I want to be a bit acerbic, I “quote” my testy Aunt Snapdragon. The actual names of those asking for advice are not given, but rather, we use some descriptive sobriquet accompanied by a Hyattsville street name--for example, “Curious on Crittenden Street,” “Frustrated on Farragut Street,” “Insecticidal on Ingraham Street,” and so on to the more elaborate “From Rocky Mountain High to Hyattsville Heat on Hamilton Street.” What are your favorite past “Miss Floribunda” columns or topics? The first Miss Floribunda column appeared in March of 2008. When the editors at HL&T soon made a decision to accompany each column with a photo of the writer. I protested that I could hardly continue to be anonymous in such an event, but an appointment had already been made with a staff photographer to take my picture. I took a wilted hat from my attic and tacked on to it a lot of artificial flowers left over from old projects. I wore this as a disguise, with my husband’s eyeglasses, and I smeared on some garish lipstick that had been an unfortunate gift. The photo was taken, accepted, and is still used. Within a few years, when I started to have to wear glasses on a daily basis, I became recognizable. This was evident after a little dog jumped a fence while I was walking down the street and a voice called out, “Miss Floribunda, please catch my dog.” I caught the little scamp and returned him to his owner, a little bemused. She told me she had recognized me from the photo, and not knowing any other name for me, had called it out. This is actually not a bad thing, because most of my “letters” come from people who see me gardening in my corner yard or at St. Jerome’s and stop to talk, or meet me at various community gatherings and ask questions. They’ve even asked my husband Herb questions for me. Sometimes, a timely topic is suggested at HHS meetings, or suggested by an HL&T staff member. I get some questions by email floribundav@gmail.com and occasionally by telephone. As a member of Sustainable Hyattsville, an organization of citizens attempting to keep Hyattsville’s green spaces—especially the floodplain adjacent to Driskell Park—from falling victim to intensive housing development projects, I am proudest of the columns pointing out the necessity of preserving these ecologically important areas. In cooperation with City Code Enforcement, I believe some columns outlining new policies permitting rain gardens and alternative gardening using native plants have been helpful.
NEIGHBORnwork Also, I have alerted the community whenever I have seen Rose Rosette Disease in gardens; defended unpopular, but useful, and/or endangered garden denizens such as toads and bats; publicized native plant sales; explained such terms as genetically modified organism (GMO), potential hydrogen in soils (Ph), locavore, and guerilla gardening; described in detail lasagna gardening and permaculture; and alerted my neighbors to new projects such as the Emerson Street Food Forest. I often answer queries from people new to the community who are coming up against the challenges of our microclimate. The most fun to write, however, are the exercises in whimsy. Near Halloween, I usually get creative, with the “War of the Weeds” column and “Halloween Horrors” column about poison-free ways of eliminating harmful invasive plants and insects among my favorites. Any funny or unique responses from your column readers? Perhaps the funniest query came from a neighbor who couldn’t figure out why her “Pink Peace” rose bush was producing simple red blooms. She had heard the term “rose rustling” and wondered if someone had dug up her bush and replaced it with another. I was able to write about the darkred Dr. Huey rose that most hybrid tea roses for sale are grafted onto, and which will take over if the grafted portion is damaged, as well as the Texas-named practice of taking cuttings from the antique varieties of roses found in cemeteries and abandoned homesteads. A close second is the person who was baffled at the advice to put Epsom salts on her roses, because she knew that salt kills plants.
and help me network with still more organizations when I need expert advice.
Who are your horticultural heroes? I am of the generation greatly influenced by J. I. Rodale and the entire concept of organic gardening. Also, reading the books of Louise Wilder Beebe inspired me to have as fragrant a garden as possible. Then, of course, Douglas Tallamy alerted me to the importance of keeping my garden hospitable toward pollinators and endangered species. Graham Stuart Thomas ignited a love of roses that can only be termed “rosemania.” Getting away from this merely romantic predilection, I will claim John Muir as a hero of mine, too—I am proud that my maternal grandfather, one of the early rangers in Gifford Pinchot’s Forest Service, corresponded with him.
What do you like to grow in your garden? Most of my garden is rather shaded, which interferes to some degree with my rose mania. However, through the advice of experienced gardeners, research, and trial and much error, I discovered quite a few rose bushes that can tolerate a certain degree of shade. The European roses, for example, don’t like our full sun, which is so much more intense than full sun in more temperate climates, and partial shade is really better for them as long as tree roots don’t compete with them. I plant lots of spring-blooming bulbs, mixed with spring-blooming native plants such as phlox and Jacob’s ladder. In summer, I rely on annuals for color, and wait for such native plants as goldenrod and snake root to bloom in the fall. I am a great believer in companion planting, and—again through bitter experience as well as research—have discovered which plants are good for each other and which are not. The sunny portion of my garden is given over to tomatoes and summer vegetables. I am able to have some winter vegetables up until hard frost. A sizable portion of my back yard is given over to the ugliest, most rangy, and most beneficial monarch butterfly attractor, common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). It came with the house, and I left it alone because as a union activist in the day job I had at the time, I had a natural respect for its seniority. In time, I realized its paramount importance to our ecosystem.
What garden clubs or plant societies are you in? I belong to a number of garden clubs aside from the Hyattsville Horticultural Society: the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild; Potomac Rose Society; Arlington Rose Foundation; National Capital Daylily Club; and the National Capital Dahlia Club, with my husband, for whom dahlias are an enthusiasm. The experts I meet through these groups provide me with a rich lode of information,
What advice would you give to beginner gardeners in the greater DC area? Please pay attention to whether or not your plant prefers sun or shade. That is the biggest mistake I notice when walking around the neighborhood. For an experienced gardener new to Hyattsville, I’d emphasize that our springs are short and punctuated with odd spots of drought and hot days, while our autumns are long and mild. Plants like broccoli, radishes, and oriental vegetables will
bolt in late spring and will give a pretty good yield in the fall. Most trees, shrubs, and woody plants should be planted in autumn. The notable exception is chrysanthemums, which have a better chance of survival if planted in spring. Also, unless the former owner of the newcomer’s home has already improved the soil, it will be clay hardpan, necessitating hard digging and the addition of a lot of compost and other soil amendments. Our soil is naturally rather acidic, and bone meal or lime must be added if such plants as peonies are desired. A big plus to those of us who love the color blue is that in our low Ph soil, hydrangeas bloom in some heartstopping shades of azure and cerulean. What other hobbies do you have? Well, I am a retired librarian and still work part-time for the owner of My Dead Aunt’s Books, so it should be no surprise that I’m a voracious reader. I also love to play the piano and sing in choral groups. Although at one time I aspired to be a portrait painter, I now limit my artistic efforts to needlework and am using the baby boom in my family to embroider birth samplers. Inspired by Claude Monet, I try to make at least portions of my garden artistic. Anything else you want to add? I would encourage your readers to contact me at Floribundav@gmail.com, or—much better—attend meetings of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society. We meet the third Saturday of each month at 10am. In most temperate months, we will meet in the garden of a member, but when it is very hot or very cold, we meet at the Hyattsville Municipal Center. The details are always given in the last paragraph of the monthly Miss Floribunda column, now online at the Streetcar Suburb News site, https://streetcarsuburbs. news/. Click on “Columns” and the latest will pop up. You do not have to live in Hyattsville to join us [or to read the column]. o This interview has been edited for length and clarity. NOVEMBER 2023 WASHINGTON GARDENER 19
BOOKreviews pot can add not just visual benefits but the option of succession planting as well. Farley challenges the gardener to try different combinations of vegetables, herbs, and even edible flowers in containers together. Containers can be a game changer in the garden. Farley offers details on appropriate sizes of containers, obtaining proper drainage for containers, and the pests and problems commonly found on container plants. Easy to comprehend, great for gardeners of all ages, and packed with information, this is a great book to have in a beginner’s garden library. o The First-Time Gardener: Container Food Gardening Author: Pam Farley Publisher: Cool Springs Press List Price: $26.99 Order Links: https://amzn.to/3QOX9JT and https://bookshop.org/ a/79479/9780760378137 Reviewer: Teri Speight This book is perfect for any newcomers to the world of gardening. People of all ages are beginning to realize that container gardening makes gardening much easier. Pam Farley has had her hands in the soil almost all her life. As a child, the urge to garden and eat from the land was second nature. Writing has served as the conduit for Farley to share her knowledge about gardening to encourage others to participate in this healthy activity. Container food gardening is more than growing lettuce from seed. Farley outlines basic details on what to look for when purchasing, not just seedlings, but also full-sized plants. From pests to diseases, this book truly empowers the reader to give gardening in a container a try. Explaining pot sizes, seed starting, and even what basic tools should be in your tool bag are just a few of the pointers in this book. The author provides charts that cover quick vegetable planting tips, what fruits will thrive in containers, and herb-growing information. When following Farley’s tested and true tips, success is at the fingertips of the gardener. My favorite part of this book outlined planting combinations. Diversity in a 20 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023
Teri Speight is a proud native Washingtonian. She is the former head gardener for the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and currently an estate gardener, speaker, writer, and podcaster. Her website is https://cottageinthecourt.com/.
Grasses for Gardens and Landscapes Author: Neil Lucas Publisher: Timber Press List Price: $50.00 Order Link: https://amzn.to/3unNdzi and https://bookshop.org/ a/79479/9781643261157 Reviewer: Marsha Douma Grasses for Gardens and Landscapes extolls the beauty, adaptability, and versatility of using grasses as a major focus in the landscape. It is filled with beautiful photographs of grasses in various gardens around the world, to help the reader visualize how useful grasses are in every season and situation. The author lives in Dorset, England, on the south western coast, where his nursery, Knoll Hill, which specializes in grasses, is located. In the first section of the book, the author suggests grasses are a good choice for all gardens since they are interesting throughout multiple seasons, while flowering plants, even ones with interesting foliage, usually have relative short seasons of interest. There is a particularly stunning picture of a winter garden surrounded by mist, with tall grasses standing firm in what might be a storm, framed by large trees whose branches have a light coating of snow. The scene was reminiscent of a Monet painting. Since it is a different way to think
about garden design, the author discusses the many ways to successfully use grasses in a landscape, as a major element. In his experience, grasses are the “perfect companions” to large and small woody plants, perennials, bulbs, etc. He also recommends thinking about the garden as a whole, not a collection of small areas. The open spaces created by the linearity of grasses facilitates this kind of unified design. Another benefit of grasses is their potential for movement, and the sound accompanying it, which can be a bit reminiscent of natural and wild spaces. Lucas strongly believes that seasonality and rhythm are essential elements of good garden design, and the book explores that subject—not one generally emphasized in garden books. He writes, “In a garden, seasonal change is inevitable…(and) strongly desirable. …When plants are thoughtfully chosen for year-round interest, we reap the benefits of seasonality in the garden… arguably the single most important component of the garden’s natural rhythm. Seasonality…(is) the process …gardens undergo in response to the changing…light, temperature and weather patterns…of the local climate over the course of a year.” He continues with an interesting description of the role of the gardener when grasses are a major player in garden design. (Given) “their amazing versatility and adaptability, grasses can be an important tool for achieving …(a) balanced, satisfying garden—-where the gardener’s role is more akin to
BOOKreviews that of an editor than an enforcer.” He is suggesting, I think, that gardening with grasses can be more of a “set it and forget it” style of gardening, since grasses, properly chosen, tend to take care of themselves. This is certainly a benefit worth thinking carefully about. Since the hoped-for audience of the book, I imagine, is global, the book concludes with a compendium—almost a catalog of grasses from around the world, complete with useful pictures and text, that takes up the latter half of the book. For a garden design professional, this is an excellent reference. The brief bio of the author at the back of the book indicates he is cognizant and concerned about the issues of “biodiversity and related sustainable gardening practices.” Therefore, he is not offering up all these grasses as useful everywhere. Rather, in the detailed descriptions of these grasses, the author includes what we need to know to match the grasses with our own environments. It is then our job to be selective when deciding which grasses would be appropriate for our gardens. A grass that grows well generically in New Zealand, Asia, Africa, Europe, the UK, or North America (even specifically in Texas or California) is probably not useful for our Mid-Atlantic region. Unfortunately, many of the most beautiful ones—pampas grass, hair grass, and fountain grass, just to name a few—are definitely not native to our region, could be invasive, and probably don’t provide much food or shelter for our native insects and birds. But the offerings are so large, this book is an excellent beginning on the journey of using more grasses in our garden landscapes. o Marsha Douma is a retired dentist and lifelong gardener who also enjoys swimming, tennis, and playing the piano. She lives in Rockville, MD.
Happy Plants, Happy You: A Plant-Care & Self-Care Guide for the Modern Houseplant Parent Author: Kamili Bell Hill Publisher: Cool Springs Press List Price: $26.99 Order Links: https://amzn.to/40Mp9lR and https://bookshop.org/ a/79479/9780760379509
GROUNDCOVER REVOLUTION Reviewer: Christine Folivi This book takes plant life to the next level. The relationship Kamili Hill has with plants is equal to what goes into her personal life. In the first couple of chapters, she discusses the benefits of having plants around. She also offers a different perspective when caring for plants. I loved that she said, “Taking care of plants translates to self care and not more work.” The whole point of taking gardening and planting as a hobby is to relax, elevate stress, get creative, and have fun. After discussing all of that, I also loved how the book switches scripts and discusses plant health, tips, and the best way to care for certain plants. Overall, Hill makes a lot of correlations between plants and life itself. The life of a plant is determined by its environment and care, much like humans. Plants have taught her how to date herself and the art of letting go. I find that interesting, because when I think about plant life, it is simple and to the point. Plants are fragile and so are we as humans. Hill insinuates that caring for plants carefully and wholeheartedly can heal us. The tips she provides are gentle and precise for house plants. When caring for plants, you care for yourself; she points out that taking time out for plants is indirectly taking time out for yourself. I recommend this book for beginning indoor gardeners. o
IS OUT NOW! By Kathy Jentz
Published by Cool Springs Press
Order it today at: https://amzn.to/3IlYHYL
“Groundcover Revolution is must-have book for anyone who is interested in having less lawn, fewer weeds, and reduced mulching. The properties charts will save the reader time and money, the pictures provide inspiration, while the detailed plant portraits give the focused information needed for creating beautiful, functional landscapes.” ―C.L. Fornari, GardenLady.com
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Christine Folivi is a senior at the University of Maryland College Park. This fall, she is an intern at Washington Gardener Magazine. NOVEMBER 2023 WASHINGTON GARDENER 21
BIRDwatch
Dark-eyed Junco
By Cecily Nabors Juncos are back! Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) have migrated to our area to spend the winter with us. Their species name, “hyemalis,” is Latin for “wintry,” reflecting their migratory habit of arriving to foretell the coming of winter. Affectionately called “snowbirds,” Dark-eyed Juncos usually return in late October and depart again in April. There are several subspecies of Darkeyed Junco. The one we see here in the lower altitudes of the Mid-Atlantic is the Slate-colored Junco. In the Appalachian mountains, the more common form may be the Carolina Junco. Out west are a few more subspecies. These birds are all members of the large avian family that includes sparrows, towhees, and buntings. While they vary somewhat in plumage and behavior, all juncos are small, attractive birds with pale, conical, seed-cracking bills. Juncos don’t breed locally, preferring higher elevations. They do breed in the mountains of Garrett County, Maryland, and can be found nesting along the Blue Ridge in Virginia. Habitats of choice include coniferous forests and the edges of forests or fields. They build their nests on the ground, under weeds or in soft soil under upturned tree roots, and commonly raise two broods a year. Clad in gray jackets and white vests, our Slate-colored Juncos add a formal note to the winter landscape. Females tend to be paler and browner than 22 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023
males. Gregarious birds, juncos gather in flocks in open woodlands or at brushy woodland edges. Their cheerful, gossipy tick-calls and twitters echo through the trees and bushes as they forage with other birds like sparrows or bluebirds. When they take flight, juncos flash their white outer tail-feathers—a diagnostic behavior. Winter is a great time to watch bird behavior. With the deciduous trees bare, their remnant berries (dogwoods), fruit (crabapples), and seed pods (tulip trees) are bait for birds. Juncos habitually forage on the ground, hopping about and scratching under plants and dead leaves for fallen seeds and fruits, including weed seeds like those of chickweed and lamb’s quarters. These birds will also climb into short vegetation to get lowhanging fruit. Seeds remaining at the ends of long grassy stalks are fair game as well. Juncos and other little lightweights will fly up to the end of a grass stem and ride the seedhead down to the ground, where they can pluck the seeds in comfort. Juncos come readily to hopper or platform feeders, and seem to prefer millet or hulled sunflower seed. They often hunt around beneath feeders, picking up seed dropped by other birds. To attract juncos to your location, make sure there are shrubs or other low plantings or brush piles near the feeders to provide a refuge. These shy birds are likely to dash out from cover, hop about to pick up a snack, then quickly retreat into safety.
One of the best things about Dark-eyed Juncos is their sweet song. Like many other migrants, juncos begin singing tentative notes as early as January. Song will be needed on the breeding grounds to attract a mate and claim territory. While the birds are here with us, we can enjoy their rehearsals! The Dark-eyed Junco song—a series of short trills—has always sounded to me like the tinkling of a silver bell. (Chipping Sparrows and Pine Warblers sing similar trills, but the Dark-eyed Junco’s song is more musical.) Happily, Dark-eyed Juncos are among our most common birds nationwide. According to Project Feeder Watch data, when birds are tallied at winter feeders across the country, juncos are typically the most common visitors. In our area, they’re usually in the top five, with the Northern Cardinal being the most commonly seen bird. Although North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data show that Darkeyed Juncos are numerous and widespread, their populations have declined slightly since 1966, when the BBS was founded. However, they are still rated a species of low conservation concern. That’s good news. We need the arrival of these energetic snowbirds to reconcile us to the coming of the cold. o Cecily Nabors is a retired software manager who has been watching birds for much of her life. She publishes the Good-Natured Observations blog at cecilynabors.com.
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MARCH/APRIL 2005 • Landscape DIY vs. Pro • Prevent Gardener’s Back • Ladew Topiary Gardens • Cherry Trees
MAY/JUNE 2007 • Roses: Easy Care Tips • Native Roses & Heirloom Roses • Edible Flowers • How to Plant a Bare-root Rose
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JULY/AUGUST 2005 • Water Gardens • Poison Ivy • Disguising a Sloping Yard • Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 • Succulents: Hardy to our Region • Drought-Tolerant Natives • Southern Vegetables • Seed Saving Savvy Tips
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2005 • Container Gardens • Clematis Vines • Sponge Gardening/Rain Gardens • 5 Insect Enemies of Gardeners
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007 • Gardening with Children • Indoor Bulb-Forcing Basics • National Museum of the American Indian • Versatile Viburnums
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 • Backyard Bird Habitats • Hellebores • Building a Coldframe • Bulb Planting Basics
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 • Dealing with Deer • Our Favorite Garden Tools • Delightful Daffodils
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2006 • Garden Decor Principles • Primroses • Tasty Heirloom Veggies • U.S. Botanic Garden MARCH/APRIL 2006 • Top 10 Small Trees and Large Shrubs • Azaleas • Figs, Berries, & Persimmons • Basic Pruning Principles MAY/JUNE 2006 • Using Native Plants in Your Landscape • Crabgrass • Peppers • Secret Sources for Free Plants JULY/AUGUST 2006 • Hydrangeas • Theme Gardens • Agave • Find Garden Space by Growing Up SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006 • Shade Gardening • Hosta Care Guide • Fig-growing Tips and Recipes NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 • Horticultural Careers • Juniper Care Guide • Winter Squash Growing Tips and Recipes • Layer/Lasagna Gardening
SUMMER 2009 • Grow Grapes in the Mid-Atlantic • Passionflowers • Mulching Basics • Growing Hops
MARCH/APRIL 2008 • Patio, Balcony, Rooftop Container Gardens • Our Favorite Garden Tools • Coral Bells (Heuchera)
T!
U MAY/JUNE 2008 DO SOL • Growing Great Tomatoes UT! O • Glamorous Gladiolus LD ! SO • Seed-Starting OUT Basics D L •SFlavorful Fruiting Natives O
JULY/AUGUST 2008 • Landscaping with Ornamental Grasses • Edible Grasses to Graze On • Slug and Snail Control • Sage Advice: Sun-Loving Salvias SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008 • Autumn Edibles — What to Plant Now • Beguiling Barrenworts (Epimediums) • Best Time to Plant Spring-blooming Bulbs • 14 Dry Shade Plants Too Good to Overlook NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 • Outdoor Lighting Essentials • How to Prune Fruiting Trees, Shrubs, Vines • 5 Top Tips for Overwintering Tender Bulbs • Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2009 • Compost Happens: Nature’s Free Fertilizer • Managing Stormwater with a Rain Garden • Visiting Virginia’s State Arboretum • Grow Winter Hazel for Winter Color
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2007 • Indoor Gardening • Daphne Care Guide • Asparagus Growing Tips and Recipes • Houseplant Propagation
MARCH/APRIL 2009 UT! D O Tips • 40+ Free and Low-cost Local Garden SOL ! T • Spring Edibles Planting Guide OU • Testing YourSSoil OLDfor a Fresh Start T! Selection and Care UTree • Redbud O LD Viewing Spots for Virginia Bluebells • Best SO
MARCH/APRIL 2007 • Stormwater Management • Dogwood Selection & Care Guide • Early Spring Vegetable Growing Tips • Franciscan Monastery Bulb Gardens
MAY/JUNE 2009 • Top Easy Summer Annuals for DC Heat • Salad Table Project • Grow and Enjoy Eggplant • How to Chuck a Woodchuck
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SUMMER 2010 • Fragrance Gardens • Watering Without Waste • Lavender • Potatoes
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FALL 2010 • Vines and Climbers • Battling Stink Bugs • Russian Sage • Garlic WINTER 2010 • Paths and Walkways • Edgeworthia • Kohlrabi SPRING 2011 • Cutting-Edge Gardens • Final Frost Dates and When to Plant • Bleeding Hearts • Onions SUMMER 2011 • Ornamental Edibles • Urban Foraging • Amsonia/Arkansas Blue Star • Growing Corn in the Mid-Atlantic FALL 2011 • Herb Gardens • Toad Lilies • Sweet Potatoes • Cool Weather Cover Crops WINTER 2011/EARLY SPRING 2012 • Green Roofs and Walls • Heaths and Heathers • Radishes SPRING 2012 • Pollinator Gardens • Brunnera: Perennial of the Year • Growing Yacon SUMMER 2012 • Tropical Gardens • Captivating Canna • Icebox Watermelons SPRING 2013 • Great Garden Soil • All About Asters • Squash Vine Borer SUMMER/FALL 2013 • Miniature/Faerie Gardens • Beguiling Abelias • Growing Great Carrots WINTER/EARLY SPRING 2014 • Ferns for the Mid-Atlantic • Chanticleer Gardens • Beet Growing Basics
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Jentz Prints
Antique Botanical Prints for the decorator, collector, connoisseur, and art lover. Jentz Prints can be purchased at the Downtown Holiday Market through Saturday, December 23.
Antique prints are affordable—most in the $10-$30 range—and they are the perfect gift idea for that plant lover in your life. And don’t forget to buy a few for yourself! For more information or to get a detailed show schedule, please contact Jentz Prints by email at UllrichJ@aol.com. 24 WASHINGTON GARDENER NOVEMBER 2023