Washington Gardener December 2020 by Kathy J

DECEMBER 2020 VOL. 15 NO. 10

WWW.WASHINGTONGARDENER.COM

WASHINGTON

gardener

the magazine for gardening enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlantic region

New Garden Spaces at the Renovated MLK Library Latest Research on Urban Trees

The Beauty of Bark

5 Easy-to-Grow Seeds to Give Gardening Kids Meet the Owners of Tanglewood Conservatories Bird-Feeding Tips What to Do in the Garden this Month River Birch Plant Profile Pointers for Pruning Camellias Call for Garden Photo Contest Entries

o oo o oo

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.

��

Green Spring Gardens

www.greenspring.org

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 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.

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

Izel Plants

Online Marketplace for Native Plants

Ask Maryland’s Garden Experts extension.umd.edu/hgic

We offer cost effective options to cover a lot of ground, including containerized plants and retail-elusive plugs. Easily find the species that are best suited to your specific needs, from popular ones to those that are rare and hard to find.

$10 OFF your next order use code: WG191 at checkout.

Your Ad Here

Contact kathyjentz@gmail.com or call 301.588.6894 for ad rates. The ad deadline is the 10th of each month. Please submit your ad directly to: KathyJentz@gmail.com.

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

expires 4/15/19

izelplants.com

INSIDEcontents

FEATURES and COLUMNS

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library’s renewal of the iconic institution’s rooftop and outdoor spaces will enrich the everyday experiences of users, staff members, and the greater urban community. Photo by Jerry McCoy.

Win a Cultivated 1,000-piece puzzle! See contest details on page 5.

River Birch’s most-appealing feature is its peeling bark. On young branches and stems, it is pinkish-brown and peels off in papery strips. On older trees, it is more textured and darkens to dark brown. This is a natural process, and you may notice splitting as well, which is a sign of putting on new growth. The exfoliating bark is tempting to peel and handle. However, it is best to resist and let it shed naturally.

Tanglewood Conservatories’ work is inspired by the elegant, historic glasshouses of the world. They come from the lineage of master shipbuilders who created the beautiful wooden boats of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay region.

ASKtheexpert 21 Pruning Camellias, Hybrid vs, Open-pollinated Seeds, Potted Mums, Garden Clean-up BIRDwatch 22 Bird Feeding Tips BOOKreviews 18-20 Herb Gardening in Containers, Artisan Herbalist, Trees of Life, Adventures in Eden DAYtrip 6-7 MLK Library Garden Spaces GREENliving 8-9 Urban Tree Summit NEIGHBORnetwork 14-15 Tanglewood Conservatories NEWPLANTspotlight 11 New Zinnia ‘Profusion RedYellow Bicolor’ PLANTprofile 12 River Birch TIPStricks 10 Sparkling Amaryllis, Easy Seeds for Kids, Living Evergreens for Holiday Containers

DEPARTMENTS

ADVERTISINGindex BLOGlinks EDITORletter GARDENcontest GARDENDCpodcasts LOCALevents MONTHLYtasklist NEXTissue READERreactions RESOURCESsources

23 11 4 5 21 13 11 3 5 2

ON THE COVER

Bark on River Birch trees outside the Zaytinya Restaurant, Washington, DC.

In our January issue: 2021 Garden Trends Growing Mushrooms and much more . . .

Be sure you are subscribed! Click on the “subscribe” link at washingtongardener.com

DECEMBER 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

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 Lindsay Garbacik Nicole Noechel Interns Cover price: $4.99 Back issues: $6.00 Subscription: $20.00

A Look at the Year in Photography

As I sat down to write this, I realized I had no new photo of myself to go along with it. I’ve never been one for selfies. Usually, I have plenty of festive events around the holidays to take group pictures at or I can ask an audience member at a garden talk to grab a snap or two for me with my phone. Sometimes the interns and I trade shots of each other out in the community garden plot. This year, due to COVID-19, those natural and easy opportunities for editorial images are simply not happening. On the other hand, I have plenty of photos in my camera from the past year in my garden, as well as shots of neighbors’ gardens I’ve passed by on long, masked walks. This period of social isolation has given many of us the chance to pause and examine our surroundings more closely. The texture of bark, our cover feature, is just one of the aspects of our landscapes that we may have been too busy to stop and experience in the past . In my social media streams, I notice many more people are sharing images of mushrooms, seedheads, mosses, insects, nests, etc. In this issue, we announce the submission period for our 15th annual Garden Photo Contest (see page 24). I hope you will take a look back at the images you have taken this year and consider entering some of them. Happy gardening,

Kathy Jentz, Editor/Publisher Washington Gardener, KathyJentz@gmail.com 4

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

• 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 Store: www.amazon.com/shop/wdcgardener • Washington Gardener Podcast: https://anchor.fm/kathy-jentz/ • Washington Gardener is a womanowned business. We are proud to be members of: · GardenComm (GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators) · Green America Magazine Leaders Network · Green America Business Network Volume 15, Number 10 ISSN 1555-8959 © 2020 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.

READERreactions

READERcontt

Reader Contest

For our December 2020 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest, Washington Gardener is giving away the Cultivated 1,000-piece Puzzle from Princeton Architectural Press (value $17). Arrange a stunning modern masterpiece of floral design with this 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle by designer and photographer Christin Geall. Piecing together this lush arrangement will immerse you in her inspired world of flowers, colors, and light. Geall is a gardener, floral designer, photographer, writer, teacher, and owner of the floral studio Cultivated by Christin. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia; writes for Gardenista; and travels widely to teach floral design and pursue her love of gardens and art. See more at papress.com. To enter to win the Cultivated Puzzle, send an email to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on Thursday, December 31, with “Cultivated Puzzle” in the subject line. 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. The winner will be announced by January 2. 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.

November 2020 Issue I enjoyed “Screen Out Bulb-Stealing Squirrels”—a topic that everyone should always be reminded of, even if you are a veteran gardener. Just the other week, I watched the staff at Longwood Gardens planting their over-10,000 bulbs along the flower garden walk. The gardeners were not fast enough with their screening. You could see where the squirrels dug overnight to eat the bulbs. In one day, they had to go back and replant. They always buy extra bulbs for this very reason. They can’t work fast enough to keep [the squirrels] from the sumptuous meal. On another note, at Winterthur when Henry I. du Pont set out to build his March bank, he wrote: “I always plant five times the number of bulbs—one for the garden and four for everyone else.” Interesting concept. It would certainly keep bulb businesses busy forever. ~ Eva Monheim, Glenside, PA My favorite article in this issue is Carol Allen’s “Invasive Jumping Worms.” Carol’s writing style and pertinent information made that a worthwhile read, albeit more depressing news for gardeners. I can’t wait to slosh jumping worms into jars of alcohol. ~ Louise Clarke, Media, PA

October 2020 Issue

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.

Washington Gardener Magazine has the absolutely nicest readers. In a story about the recent Washington Gardener plant swap, I mentioned that, although I loved what I picked up, I had hoped to come home with some ferns, but no one brought any. Another reader saw my comment, emailed, and offered me as many ostrich ferns as my car could carry from an area where they had overgrown a path he was restoring. I can’t thank him enough. Washington Gardener readers are the best! ~ Kim Kaplan, Forest Glen, MD I loved the article about trouble-free roses for the Mid-Atlantic region. Even though I am growing more and more native plants, I love roses and find they attract people to the garden! ~ Anamaria Anderson, Arlington, VA o DECEMBER 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DAYtrip

By Nicole Noechel More than three years after it closed for renovations, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown Washington, DC, reopened in September with an additional 100,000 square feet of space and a plethora of new and updated features for visitors to enjoy, including multiple garden areas, according to George Williams, the library’s media relations manager. Planning for the modernization began back in 2011. According to Williams, the library needed to be upgraded to support modern library uses and redefine how a central library can serve District residents. In 2013, they held a competition to identify the best architects for the job and selected two firms from a group of 26 applicants: OTJ, then known as Martinez and Johnson, and Mecanoo. OTJ is a District-based firm that has “extensive experience with historic modernization projects, including DC’s Takoma Park and Georgetown Libraries,” according to Williams. Mecanoo is a Dutch-based firm whose work includes Boston’s Dudley Municipal Center and 6

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

the Library of Birmingham in England. In 2015, Oehme, van Sweden (OvS), a District-based landscape architecture firm, was selected to redesign the library’s outdoor features, according to Sara Downing, a senior associate at OvS who managed the project. The renovation project was delivered on time and on budget, and the process was very smooth, according to Richard Reyes-Gavlian, DC Public Library’s executive director. While the pandemic slowed some deliveries, the major work was completed before March. The modernized library features a host of newly created and updated spaces, including “a new, inspiring, and transparent entryway; sculptured monumental stairs; a large auditorium and conference center; creative spaces for music production and art creation; a ground-level café and patio; a doubleheight reading room; a large, interactive children’s space; an expanded special collections space for researchers and local history enthusiasts; and a rooftop event space with a terrace,” said Williams.

OvS was in charge of creating two extensive green roofs, including a 17,250-square-foot terrace on the fifth floor that showcases a Native Pollinator Garden, Garden of the Senses, and Seasonal Viewing Garden, according to a press release. They also designed an outdoor café patio with shadetolerant planting, amphitheater seating, and monolithic granite benches. On the street surrounding the library, they replaced trees, expanded tree planters, and removed granite pavers to create room for new plants. The café patio is home to a shade palette of plants, including many hostas, astilbes, sedges, and phlox, Downing said. “We did big masses of plants of one species, and they’re divided up by planters. It’s a bit more subdued than the upper levels, I think, partly because it’s a shade palette,” she said. The fifth-floor rooftop area hosts a more-exuberant palette of plants in its three garden spaces. “The Native Pollinator Garden is, as much as we could, regional natives,”

The new fifth floor terrace at the MLK Library. Credit: DC Public Library; Maxine Schnitzer, photographer.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Reopens with Garden Spaces Galore

DAYtrip

The café patio. he said. “Even in our limited opening posture, people are pleased with the changes they see.” Jerry McCoy, a special collections librarian and archivist, said the new garden spaces have definitely enhanced his experience of working in the library. He now has a place to eat his lunch outdoors and no longer has to eat at his desk or in the “depressing” employee lunch room. “Besides the state-of-the-art HVAC system that now maintains proper temperatures, the best aspect of the new renovation is, again, the rooftop garden,” he said. “I have been on the original gravel rooftop, and it was a space

void of life. The transformation has been stunning—plants, flowers, birds, and butterflies.” McCoy believes that every DC resident should visit the “new” library and experience the beauty that their tax money has helped to create. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the library is currently only open for takeout services, and the garden areas are not accessible at this time, but are expected to be open to the public soon. o Nicole Noechel is a senior multiplatform journalism major and history minor at the University of Maryland. She is interning this fall semester with Washington Gardener. Greenroof of the MLK Library. Credit: DC Public Library; Maxine Schnitzer photographer.

Downing said. “The Garden of the Senses is a lot of stuff that is very textural or has some olfactory quality, like lavender, allium, chives, and gaura. Things that wave in the wind or have a delicate texture. Mexican feather grass is a great one that we love, because it’s really drought-tolerant on roofs, and it looks beautiful when the wind catches it.” Downing added that, “Seasonal Viewing was a chance to display a lot of ornamental grasses. We just hate when grasses are cut back this time of year, when they could be left up all winter, until February or so. Our firm really believes in the beauty of what some people think of as ‘dead plants,’ so to us, dried grasses are really beautiful, and even perennials that have seed heads are really beautiful in the winter.” The upper-level greenroof, which is newly constructed, includes numerous species of sedums for visitors to enjoy as they look out over the DC skyline, Downing said. “It was a really fun project to be involved in,” she said. “It was stressful at times, but we’re all really happy with the end result, and the whole design team really made an effort to work together to make sure that we, the library, and any users of the library would be happy with the end product.” The library hopes that the new renovations will not only have a positive impact on the people who use the spaces, but on the environment as well. The drought-tolerant sedum plantings on the greenroofs will capture stormwater and mitigate the heat island effect, the range of new vegetation helps improve air quality, and the upgrades to the mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems will reduce energy use and water consumption, according to Reyes-Gavilan. Downing also hopes the new plantings, especially the regional natives, will create new habitats for insects, birds, and other wildlife. Williams says the renovations have received a “great deal” of positive feedback. “When Mayor Bowser toured after our virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony, she said that the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library was one of the District Government’s most-beautiful assets,”

DECEMBER 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

GREENliving

great presentations, and there were a lot of questions from the audience,” he said. “Although participant interaction was very limited due to the virtual format, we were able to reach folks outside the immediate area in different states who normally would have never attended, so it was a good way to broaden our audience.”

structural stability, and resistance to erosion, according to Bassuk. “Soil is the most-important thing,” said Bassuk during the presentation. When it came time to test the soil on the property, researchers tested for aggregate stability, water-holding capacity, bulk density, texture, resistance, organic matter, active carbon, soil respiration, soil protein, pH, and nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn). The soil health was 34/100, which is very low. The results stated that the soil was made up of 33 percent sand, 39 percent silt, and 26 percent clay. The property also had poor drainage for many of the plants. The research team used a “scoop and dump” method of remediating the soil. For new plantings, they added Black Locust, Honey Locust, Kentucky Coffeetree, Sweet Hum, hybrid Elms, and sterile Callery Pear ‘Chastity’, said Bassuk. Visit the Flight 93 Memorial website (www.nps.gov/flni) to see all of the new plants and trees on the property.

Flight 93 Memorial Landscape: Evaluation

How Branches are Connected to Trunks

By Nicole Noechel and Lindsay Garbacik On Wednesday, December 2, Montgomery Parks and Casey Trees hosted its ninth annual Urban Tree Summit, previously called the “Trees Matter Symposium.” This year’s conference had a new name and a new, virtual location: Each presentation took place on Microsoft Teams, since the event couldn’t be held in-person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The summit hosted professionals in the field of arboriculture to “share insights and research on recent and innovative trends in urban and suburban landscaping,” according to a press release from Montgomery Parks. It was an opportunity for arborists; landscape, environmental, and green industry professionals; engineers; designers; and interested citizens to come together and learn about different techniques and efforts to plant trees in urban environments and ensure their health and safety. The day started with a short introduction, followed by five presentations. The event ended with an optional happy hour where attendees could network and share ideas in small Zoom breakout rooms. According to Colter Burkes, senior urban forester for Montgomery Parks and one of the event’s organizers, around 375 people attended the event, a slightly higher turnout than in past years. Burkes was very happy with the Summit and plans to look at incorporating virtual components into future conferences, even when they are able to be held in person again. “All the speakers, I thought, gave 8

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

The first presentation of the day focused on the research that has been conducted at the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA. The discussion and presentation was led by Cornell professor Nina Bassuk. The memorial opened to the public on September 10, 2011. Since then, researchers have been examining the plants, trees, and soil on the property to better understand the environment and which plants will work the best there. First, she explained how trees on the property have been doing, health-wise, in the last several years. Of the White Oak (Quercus alba) trees planted, about 60 percent were moderately healthy— only about 33 percent were ranked as “good.” Many of the Scarlet Oaks (Quercus coccinea) on the property were in worse health. About 12 percent were ranked “fair,” while 51 percent were ranked as “good.” It was important that all trees be as healthy as possible. However, with many trees, a key component to understanding tree planting is to first understand the importance of soil health. Healthy soil will have aeration, physical root proliferations, organism movement, soil water storage, and

Greg Dahle, a professor at West Virginia University, led an interesting discussion about the math and physics behind how a branch is connected to a trunk. Traditional branch unions, are stronger than co-dominant unions, and this can be measured using an aspect ratio equation. He divides the smaller diameter by the larger diameter to determine the aspect ratio of the tree and its individual branches. “While many of us feel that branch angle is important, research indicates it is aspect ratio and not attachment angle that correlates with branch attachment strength,” Dahle said in the presentation. Dahle uses equations and experiments to measure the stress and force of a branch, particularly when it is strained. He has found it to be difficult to measure on an irregularly shaped surface. It is also difficult to pinpoint where initial failures take place. Through this research, Dahle and his researchers found that strain propagates further into the stem during loading of co-dominant stems (leaders). Additionally, attachment angle is not a predictor of failure.

GREENliving

Regenerative Pruning for Smaller, Safer Trees Guy Meilleur, a principal arborist, led a presentation about the leading techniques in pruning small trees for maximum regeneration. When pruning branches, the general one-third rule of thumb is to “Reduce back to a lateral greater than a third the size of the parent and capable of assuming the terminal role,” according to Meilleur. “There is no such thing as a proper heading cut on a mature tree,” said Meilleur. For older trees, inward growth is the goal after pruning. Terminal growth is avoided, so the one-third rule of thumb does not apply to mature trees. Then, Meilleur explained a few key components to a successful tree trimming appointment, as an arborist. He reminded tree professionals that inspections should include positive aspects of a tree, not just look for issues. It is important to look at conditions in the crown that may reflect root conditions, and to evaluate decay, callus and woundwood growth, and response growth in the trunk and crown, according to Meilleur. Additionally, several studies have affirmed the effectiveness of specified reduction pruning, while small laterals grow more than larger laterals after reduction pruning.

Trees are Good Moms

The fourth presentation focused on the benefits of planting trees in groups. John Ball, a professor of forestry at South Dakota State University and the state’s forest health specialist, led the discussion. Ball explained that out of every 100 trees planted in urban areas, about 20–40 are dead by year five. The problem is underground: Trees do best in fungal-dominated soil, which is created and maintained by other nearby trees. Mycorrhizal fungi increase trees’ water and element absorptive capacity and can transfer phosphorus and nitrogen from dying trees to healthy ones. However, in urban areas, we often see trees about 30-40 feet apart, and they don’t have access to the fungi they need to thrive.

In forests, trees are bound by the “wood wide web,” which connects different species of trees and allows them to share nutrients with one another. If one tree isn’t getting enough nutrients, or the fungi surrounding it aren’t doing well, other trees take on the work and send that tree resources. There is one hub tree that the nutrients funnel through. If that hub tree dies, other trees in the system pick up its work until a new hub tree is designated. Seedlings are also tied into the wood wide web, and they are aided most by their parent tree. “Mother” trees pass more resources to their seedlings than other seedlings of the same species. This explains the title of the presentation: “Trees are good moms”! Fallen trees also contribute to the wood wide web. Seedlings grow well on these nurse logs, because they are a great source of mycorrhizal fungi. Stand-alone trees can’t share and gain resources through the wood wide web, and they have no help in creating and maintaining crucial fungi, which is why Ball suggests that urban trees should be planted as close together as possible. Another reason why urban and suburban trees die is because they aren’t planted properly. Ball suggests creating slight berms around planted trees to prevent poor drainage and not using soil that has been stockpiled more than six feet. If the soil is stockpiled higher than this, there can be a sharp decline in fungi. We have to care for our planted urban trees far more than those in the forest, and we should be focusing on what’s going on underground. When you plant a tree, remove any turf from the area and ensure that it will be surrounded by natural elements. Add nurse logs, if you can, and plant trees close together.

Address Tree Inequities

The final presentation was led by Earl Eutsler, associate director of the Urban Forestry Division for Washington, DC’s District Department of Transportation. Eutsler began by discussing the responsibilities of the division: They are responsible for planting and maintaining trees on all public land, along streets and at public spaces like schools, parks, and recreation centers.

They plant 8,000 trees annually and prune 15,000 trees per year. The division also handles tree removal requests on private property, and removes about 4,000 mature trees per year. Next, Eutsler explained the benefits that urban trees can have. They improve water quality, air quality, public safety, traffic safety, educational outcomes, and economic development, all of which improve the overall health of the community. Currently, 18% of DC citizens live below the poverty line and there is as much as a 21-year difference in life expectancy based on which area of the District residents live in. The Urban Forestry Division aims to increase canopy coverage as much as possible to equalize these inequities. The division maintains a highly accurate inventory of urban street trees in the District—on a given day, they inspect more than 300 trees. They also field planting requests to see where residents want more trees. They use all of these data to determine which areas need trees most and where there is space for trees to be planted. Another planting strategy the Urban Forestry Division relies on is their Tree Fund: When residents have trees removed from their private property, they are offered replacements for free. This is funded by the fees that residents pay to have their non-hazardous trees removed (hazardous trees are free to remove). The Urban Forestry Division, along with its partners, the Department of Energy and Environment and Casey Trees, will plant as many trees as the property owner is interested in having at no cost. This ensures that overall canopy coverage isn’t lost when trees are removed from a property. Currently, DC has 38.7% tree canopy coverage, but the Urban Forestry Division aims to increase this to 40% across the city by 2032. This will not only increase the environmental health of the city, but the health and happiness of its citizens as well. o Nicole Noechel and Lindsay Garbacik are multiplatform journalism majors at the University of Maryland. They iare nterning this fall semester with Washington Gardener.

DECEMBER 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

TIPStricks

Amaryllises are also known by their botanical name: Hippeastrum. In ancient Greek, “amaryllis” is “amarusso,” which means “I sparkle,” and it really is fascinating to watch the transformation from bulb to flower. The radiant flowers emerge as if by magic from a big, straight stem. What’s more, there are more than 70 varieties. Get creative with these bulbs. It’s not only fun, but also satisfying to see what you’ve made yourself. Here’s what you need: an amaryllis bulb, an old newspaper, a glass vase the right size for the bulb, hairspray, and glitter. Use the newspaper as a placemat. Spray the amaryllis bulb with hairspray. Immediately sprinkle the glitter over the bulb. Shake the excess glitter onto the newspaper. Place the sparkling bulb in the vase: Voilà! Here are some amaryllis growing tips: • Before an amaryllis can start to grow, you’ll need to wake it up. To do this, place the bulb for an hour in a container filled with lukewarm water. This will ensure that its roots start to grow. • You can plant the amaryllis bulb in a pot filled with potting compost, simply put it in a shallow bowl, or place it over water. • Amaryllises prefer warm surroundings; a room temperature between 68 and 74 degrees is perfect. • Give it sufficient light. If it doesn’t get enough, its stems will grow too long and need support. More information about flower bulbs is available at www.flowerbulbs.com. o 10

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

Here are five great seeds for children to plant and grow. They are easy to grow, have wonderful back stories, can be grown in containers, and are simply fascinating. Most of these seeds can be started inside. These seed packets make outstanding stocking stuffers and small Hanukkah presents. Barbara Melera at Harvesting History (harvesting-history.com) said, “Gardening is what made mankind civilized, so let us teach our children the wonder and satisfaction of the pursuit of growing and nourishing plants.” • 4 O’Clocks: These flowers can be grown well in containers (one plant per 10-inch pot) and in gardens in general. They are an extraordinary learning opportunity for a child because they bloom in the late afternoon (around 4 o’clock). They produce masses of lovely multi-colored, trumpet-shaped blossoms, which are hummingbird magnets. • Moonflower: This is another nightblooming plant. It is a vine that can reach 12–20 feet, but in a container is more likely to reach 6–10 feet. Put three plants per 12-inch pot. The vine produces gigantic white blossoms (6–8 inches in diameter) in the evening. The blossoms fill the air with a heavenly fragrance that can be enjoyed throughout the neighborhood. • Golden Midget Watermelon: This can be grown in a container (three plants in a 14-inch pot). This is an excellent plant for children to grow because it teaches them how a plant tells its gardener when its fruit are ripe. This watermelon produces deep- deepgreen fruit which, amazingly, turn mustard-yellow when the fruit is ripe and ready to be picked. • Scarlet Runner Bean: This is an old, old bean that has been grown by Americans, both indigenous peoples and immigrants, for at least 500 years. It was also one of our third president’s, Thomas Jefferson’s, favorite plants. • Zinnias: These are the easiest and most-reliable of flowers to grow. They produce huge blossoms in every color of the rainbow. They like their blossoms to be cut because then they just produce more blossoms. All they need is sunlight and water. o

Photo credit: Front door, Doreen Wynja for Monrovia.

Amaryllis 'Magnum’, photo credit iBulb.com.

Sparkling Amaryllis Project for Holiday Decor

Stocking Stuffers: Seeds for Children to Grow

Elevate Your Holiday Décor with Live Plants

Holiday containers are the perfect way to add beauty to the outdoor garden. “I love focusing on the front entrance of the house for the holidays to welcome all of my family and friends inside,” says Fawn Wilson, owner and exterior landscape designer at Fawn Renae Designs in North Carolina. “My all-time favorite is an evergreen shrub in a large outdoor planter, surrounded by ivy and pansies for color. It’s like having a Christmas tree with colorful presents underneath.” Here are a few varieties that help create a fresh and festive holiday look: • Tiny Tower® Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca var. conica ‘MonRon’): Alberta Spruce are the quintessential holiday tree. Tiny Tower® features a compact habit with a beautiful pyramidal form that make it a great choice for small garden spaces and containers. Its bright-green foliage fits in beautifully with any holiday décor. Zones 3-8. • Little Gem Norway Spruce (Picea abies ‘Little Gem’): Deep-green needles and a beautifully rounded form make Little Gem Norway Spruce a favorite accent in the landscape. This evergreen is especially stunning as a tall topiary in a container, perfect for adding holiday lights. Little Gem is virtually maintenance-free once established. Zones 2-8. • Green Tower® Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Monrue’): The dark, glossy green leaves of Green Tower® Boxwood stand out in the garden. This columnar variety is beautiful in a container and makes an excellent topiary. Its dense branches provide the perfect backdrop for holiday decoration. In the garden. It creates an excellent hedge or privacy screen. Zones 5-9. o

GARDENnews

Quick Links to Recent Washington Gardener Blog Posts • DIY: Lemongrass Tea Wreath • Plant Profile: Sage (Culinary) • Closing Out the Season • 21 Gifts for Gardeners See more Washington Gardener blog posts at: WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com o

December–January Garden To-Do List New Plant Spotlight Zinnia ‘Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor’ This gorgeous zinnia starts the season with a bold, vibrant red center ring surrounded by golden-yellow outer petals. As the season progresses, the aging flowers morph into soft, beautiful shades of apricot, salmon, and dusty rose to bring a plethora of color to the garden, all from one variety. It stays compact and mounded at about a foot high and wide. Trial gardeners noted how well the plant continued to bloom new flowers over old, so there was never a decline in the beauty of the plant. This is a new bicolor addition to the popular Profusion series of zinnias. This special zinnia is the first AllAmerica Selections Gold Medal Winner since 2004. ‘Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor’ is also the recipient of the Fleuroselect Gold Medal award for performance in European trials. The breeder is Sakata Seed Corporation. o

Photos courtesy of All-AmericaSelections.com.

• Keep watering your poinsettias and give them plenty of light. Ensure they are away from drafts and that the pots drain freely. • Last chance to plant bulbs or, if you have waited until the ground is frozen, pot them up for forcing indoors. • Gather holiday greens. Some, like holly and boxwood, benefit from being pruned by growing thicker. • Feed birds and provide them with a fresh water source. • Check houseplants, and any plants you brought indoors for the winter, for insects. • Provide some special protection to tender or early-flowering plants like Camellias. • Stake newly planted large trees or shrubs to protect them from winter winds. • Check any tropical or summer-blooming bulbs, corms, tubers, and bare root plants in storage for rot or desiccation. • Apply scale and dormant oil treatment to evergreens. • Spread ashes from wood fires on your vegetable beds. • Keep succulents and cacti on the dry side. • Water your cut Christmas tree daily. • Gently remove layers of snow from outdoor evergreens with a broom. • Start organizing your pile of incoming garden catalogs. • Keep an eye out for bark damage from rabbits and deer. • Spray broadleaf evergreens with anti-desiccant to prevent dehydration. • Use the branches from your Christmas tree as bedding mulch or as a windbreak. • Keep watering newly planted trees and shrubs as needed. • Cover strawberry beds with straw or pine needles. • Prune stone fruit trees such as cherries, plums, and peaches. • 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. • Continue to rotate houseplants to promote even growth. • Attend a local garden club meeting. • Start new indoor plants from cuttings—try an easy one, such as violets. • Check the plants under tall evergreens and under the eaves of the house to see that they have sufficient moisture. • Weed. Weed. Weed. • Pick a budding gardener to give some inspirational garden books and magazines, then watch the new gardener blossom. • Store your fertilizer and seeds in rodent-proof containers. • Do any filling and grading needed around your yard. The soil will settle during the winter months. • Vent cold frames on sunny days. • Avoid walking in frozen planting beds. • Remove and destroy gypsy moth egg masses. • Clean your gutters. • Prune maples, dogwoods, birch, elm, and walnut—if needed. • Consider using alternatives to de-icing salts, such as sand, beet juice sugars, light gravel (grit), or non-clumping kitty litter. Using de-icing salts around driveways and sidewalks can harm your garden plants and turf. o DECEMBER 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

PLANTprofile

River Birch Betula nigra

By Kathy Jentz River Birch (Betula nigra) is a fast-growing tree that is a good choice for home landscapes. It is popular for its attractive peeling bark and multi-stem growth habit. It is known alternatively as Water Birch or Red Birch. It looks similar to Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera), but is more heat-tolerant, while Paper Birch has a purer white bark color. River Birch is native to the Eastern United States and hardy from Zones 4–9. It can grow up to 70 feet tall, but there dwarf varieties are available. These include ‘Summer Cascade’, ‘Fox Valley’, and ‘Shiloh Splash’. Look at local garden centers and nurseries for ‘Heritage,’ which is more tolerant of heat than the straight species. This cultivar was named the Urban Tree of the Year in 2002 by the Society of Municipal Arborists. Plant it in spring or fall in a full-sun location. River Birch prefers moist soils, as the common name would indicate. Be sure to give it extra water during any drought periods. It tolerates most kinds of soils and likes a heavy mulching over its root zone, but the mulch should not touch the tree’s bark. There is no need to fertilize River Birch. If you must prune it, do so after August because early-season pruning can cause sap to run from its wounds. o Kathy Jentz is the editor and founder of Washington Gardener.

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS DC-Area Gardening Calendar ~ Upcoming Events Listing Classes and Webinars • Saturday, December 19, 11am–1pm and Tuesday, January 19, 11am–1pm Winter Sowing: Following Mother Nature’s Way to Jump-Start Your Gardens Winter Sowing offers the perfect opportunity to help you increase your plant diversity and harvests by getting a head start on your spring, summer, and fall gardens. You will be able to grow more flowers and food with very little effort and minimal supplies. By using the winter sowing method, you are literally following the ways of the master of all gardeners: Mother Nature. Held via Zoom. Presented by certified Master Gardener Linda Jones, Elements of Nature. Fee: $10. Register at www.eventbrite. com/e/winter-sowing-following-mothernatures-way-to-jump-start-your-gardenstickets-125695433425?ref=eios. • Monday, December 21, 2:30— 4:30pm Winter Solstice Forest Bathing Walk Disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with nature at the U.S. National Arboretum. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses for health benefits. The benefits are immense: boosted immunity, lowered blood pressure and heart rate, improved attention and mood, and hitting the reset button on life. Each forest bathing walk will end with a modified tea ceremony; small pre-packaged snacks will close the walk. Fee: $35. Register at https://www.eventbrite. com/o/the-friends-of-the-national-arboretum-13276552841. • Monday, December 21, 10am Online Art Demonstration: Keeping Time with Plants Join Mara Menahan, botanical illustrator, for the second demonstration in this three-part series to practice botanical illustration using time as the foundation. A key part of illustration is observation, and you might be surprised by the amount of movement you can witness changing in plants in the course of one week. Taking just a few moments each day over a week

to sketch out a quick line drawing can produce a clear series of change. Mara will lead viewers through guided exercises for watching and then share tips for creating a booklet and drawing plant changes over a week. Held live as a Facebook event; it can also be found on the U.S. Botanic Garden’s YouTube page. Free; No pre-registration required. See link at www.usbg.gov. • Sunday, January 3, 2–3pm Ground Covers: Great Alternatives to Turfgrass Groundcovers are low-growing plants that serve many purposes in the landscape, from limiting weed growth to stabilizing slopes to adding texture to your garden. They can replace turfgrass, which is often not the best choice and has many drawbacks. Find out more about these beautiful, hard-working plants and the best kinds to use for our region. Speaker: Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine. Fee: $10. Register at: https://py.pl/4hLUS. • Wednesday–Friday, January 6-8 Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show MANTS is going virtual this year. Attendees will have access to the Business Hub and exhibitor product information for 90 days post-show. They can also choose to receive a print or digital version of the annual Buyer’s Guide when registering. Attendee registration is $10 per person. Visit MANTS.com for additional show details. • Monday, January 11, 3–4:30pm Plant-Pleasing Purple in the Garden Punch up your garden with purple! Whether you have a warm or cool color garden, purple makes a great accent. VCE master gardeners show you how to incorporate this color into your garden all year ’round with flowers, foliage, and fruits. Free. Virtual talk held via Zoom. Register at: https://forms.gle/ rhSRAcCngurYMBKQA. • Saturday, January 16, 10am and offered again at 1pm Kokedama: The Art of Crafting Living Moss Balls Originating in Japan, kokedama are living plant and moss balls. Traditionally

displayed sitting, they also look magical bound up with string and hanging. You’ll have access to all the materials needed to make your own beautiful kokedama and will be taken step-bystep through the unique process. Everyone will make two kokedama to take home with them at the end of the class. Fee: $40. Note: These workshops are each limited to 8 participants to ensure safe social distancing. Register for the 10am slot at https://apm.activecommunities.com/montgomerycounty/ Activity_Search/kokedama-the-art-ofcrafting-living-moss-balls/82665 or for the 1pm slot at https://apm.activecommunities.com/montgomerycounty/Activity_Search/kokedama-the-art-of-crafting-living-moss-balls/82666. • Saturday, January 23, 10–11am Easy Houseplants to Grow No need to wait for spring to get your hands back in the soil. You can enjoy beautiful flowering and foliage plants right now, in your home. Virginia extension master gardeners provide you with all the know-how you will need to be successful. Registration link via Parktakes: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ green-spring/classes-camps.

Seed Exchanges Because of COVID-19 restrictions and an abundance of caution, the Washington Gardener Seed Exchanges that were planned for early 2021 have been postponed. We will announce new dates and details as soon as they are verified.

Event Listing Updates See updated event listings on the Washington Gardener discussion list. Join the list at https://groups.google. com/g/washingtongardener/.

How to Submit Local Garden Events To submit an event for this listing, email washingtongardenermagazine@gmail. com with “Event” in the subject line. Our next deadline is January 5 for the January 2021 issue, for events taking place after January 15. o DECEMBER 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

NEIGHBORnetwork

Alan Stein and Nancy Virts of Tanglewood Conservatories

By Lindsay Garbacik

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

NEIGHBORnetwork In last month’s issue, I reviewed the book The Conservatory: Gardens Under Glass by Alan Stein and Nancy Virts. This month, I interviewed the Denton, MD-based authors to discuss all things architecture, design, and gardening. Stein and Virts co-founded Tanglewood Conservatories in 1995 with the intent to design and create some of the most-beautiful and unique conservatories in the world. They have traveled the globe, seeking out the best conservatories and have even had a hand in designing some of them. Tanglewood Conservatories is one of very few conservatory builders in the United States that uses top-grade materials for the design and construction of glass conservatories. Structures are built at their Denton location, near the Chesapeake Bay, and then shipped to the customer’s home to be assembled and installed. The pair has had their designs featured in Architectural Digest, the New York Times, and Garden Design Magazine, among other publications. How did you become interested in conservatories? Alan: “I studied art and design, then graduated with a degree in architecture, but I’ve always loved building things. When I lived in Europe as a student, there was an old greenhouse on the estate where I lived, and I helped restore it. Later in my career, Nancy and I were travelling in Europe and visited some of the historic conservatories such as Syon Park [and] the Palm House at Kew Gardens. We became enamored with the architecture and decided to change the focus of our company to specialize in the design and construction of beautiful glass conservatories. Nancy was a textile designer and loved the patterns of the glass and the structure together, and we both love gardens, so it was a very natural evolution.” What have been some of your favorite conservatories? Alan: “Most of the conservatories that our company, Tanglewood Conservatories, has built are for private clients. Some of our favorite public conservatories, however, are Syon Park,

This small greenhouse conservatory (6 feet wide by 16 feet long) with its generous windows and copper-clad glass roof is perfect for its owner, a botanical enthusiast.

the Palm House at Kew Gardens—both in London—as well as the Palm House at Schönbrunn Palace Park in Vienna and the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil in Paris. In the United States, our favorites are San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers, the Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden, the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, and—of course—Longwood Gardens. What inspires your conservatory designs? Nancy: “As Alan mentioned, I love texture, color, and pattern, whether in a garden, a conservatory, or a fabric. The most beautiful conservatories combine these elements in striking ways. But the most-important inspiration for me is knowing the change that will come over people when they enter the conservatory. I love to watch people when they first enter a beautiful room—the awe that comes across their faces. If the design is right, they feel instantly at home, deeply fulfilled, and completely rejuvenated.” Alan: “After 25 years designing and building conservatories, I continue to be in awe of the early pioneers, who were some of the most-inventive figures of their time. Men such as Joseph Paxton, the great 19th-century horticulturist, gardener, and, most famously, designer of the Crystal Palace; John Claudius Loudon, the Scottish botanist, inventor, designer, and author; and Charles Fowler, architect of the Great Conservatory at Syon Park, continue

to inspire Nancy and me to forge art, technology, and botany, along with our client’s vision, into beautiful buildings that enclose gardens under glass.” Do you have a favorite plant to display in your conservatories? Alan: “Large, elegant palm trees with lots of character.” o Lindsay Garbacik is a junior journalism major, with a minor in art history, at the University of Maryland. She is interning this fall semester with Washington Gardener.

The Victorian-era authenticity and detailing of this new conservatory was paramount, and yet it must function as a complete working greenhouse. The owner, an ardent gardener, plans to spend many, many hours inside the room. DECEMBER 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

GARDENbasics

The Beauty of Bark:

Focusing on the Textures and Colors of Winter

By Lindsay Garbacik As trees shed the last of their fall leaves, the barren look of the garden can be depressing. Long gone are the days of lush greens of spring and summer or the blazing foliage of autumn. However, your winter landscape doesn’t have to be bleak. There are a number of plants with fascinating bark that can add color, texture, and interest to your landscape in the wintertime. We talked to some arborists and horticulturists in the area about their favorite winter interest plants. 16

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

• Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum): This stunning tree (pictured above), native to China, is the epitome of elegance and interest, specifically because of its unique bark. Vibrant chestnut-brown bark curls away from the branches and trunk of the tree to reveal a rich red wood beneath. The tree grows to about 20–30 feet tall and 15–25 feet wide. While the bark steals the show with this tree, it also produces three-lobed leaves that change from a dark-green and blue color in the spring

and summer to bright-red and orange in the fall. “Paperbark maple, when lit in the winter, can look like the tree is on fire,” said horticulturist Eva Monheim, author of Shrubs and Hedges. “The small stature of the tree makes it ideal for smaller spaces and beckons the viewer for a closer visual. The structure of the tree is also appealing.” ‘Girard’s Hybrid’ is a hybrid between Acer griseum and Acer maximowiczianum, according to horticulturist Scott Aker, supervisory research horticulturist with the U.S. National Arboretum. It also happens to be one of his favorite trees for bark appeal. ‘Girard’s Hybrid’ is a great tree for adding shade or as an accent piece to the space. “The way it glows in the sunlight, just [brings] such elegance into the garden in the winter season,” said James Gagliardi, a horticulturist with Smithsonian Gardens, in a recent virtual talk about winter gardens. • American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis): This enormous native tree is perhaps the most-common specimen with unique bark seen in the Mid-Atlantic region. A deciduous tree, the American Sycamore has gray bark that flakes off in patch-like flakes to reveal a bright creamy-white base. This tree typically grows 70–100 feet tall and wide. “The ghostly white branches are a nice contrast with the dull gray colors of mid-winter, and they are striking against a clear blue sky,” said Aker. This plant grows best in rich, consistently moist, but well-drained soils. Dry soil can cut the life of the plant significantly shorter. Monheim suggests planting this tree along creeks and streams, or as a focal point in an open lawn. While these trees are incredibly beautiful, they can be high-maintenance. Along with the necessity for moist soil, it needs full sun. In wet, cool springs, it can be subject to anthracnose, which causes moderate to severe leaf drops. It also is important to watch out for Japanese beetles, borers, leaf spots, powdery mildew, caterpillars, and mites. • Redtwig Dogwood (Cornus sericea): The Redtwig Dogwood is an excellent addition to a landscape, whether it is planted in a group or alone. The stems

GARDENbasics

of the shrub (pictured above) start out green in the spring and summer. Then, they turn red as their foliage falls off in the fall. As the temperature gets colder, the youngest branches will turn the brightest red. With its bright-red color and unique twiggy shape, the Redtwig Dogwood is especially beautiful in winter against a crisp white snowy landscape. Redtwig Dogwoods are a great shrub to group together, because of the open thinness of the branches. They are also a good container plant choice that can be pruned to emphasize their branch shapes. The cut stems are used for decorations and flower arrangement for the winter holidays, too. For more colorful twig dogwoods, there is also ‘Bud’s Yellow’ Tatarian Dogwood and ‘Flaviramia’ Yellowtwig Dogwood, according to Gagliardi. Read more about Redtwig Dogwoods in the Winter 2009-10 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine and watch our recent video plant profile about them on our YouTube channel. • Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): This unique small tree or shrub is native

from the Himalayas through southern China to southeast Asia to Japan. However, it is now commonly referred to as the “Lilac of the South” because of its popularity in southern gardens. The trunk and branches are covered in an exfoliating bark and when pruned correctly, have a pleasing, sinewy form. Flowers are typically rose- to red-colored, but with new cultivated varieties they can come in many colors, from purple to white to lavender. In the summer, the shrub’s crepe-papery petals bloom to create a display of showy flowers covering the shrub completely. Read more about Crape Myrtles in the August 2020 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine and watch our recent video plant profile about them on our YouTube channel. • Striped Maple, or Snake Bark Maple (Acer pensylvanicum): This native small tree (pictured below) typically grows in wooded areas and has bright-yellow leaves at the height of its bloom. The unique bark has a snake-like pattern of stripes, yet remains very smoothly textured. “Striped or snake bark maple has a wonderful green-and-white striped bark year-round that becomes more prominent in the winter months. It is an understory tree in our woodlands, so having it planted in a partially wooded area near a walkway would be ideal,” said Monheim. The beauty of this tree lies in both its patterned bark and its vibrant yellow blooms.

• Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’): This deciduous shrub (pictured above) is notable for its ever-contorting and twisted branches. It is fascinating to look at in winter and is a favorite for many landscape designers. “Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick has a shiny bark in winter with heavy lenticels that appear in a horizontal position. The twisting stems make a focal point for a small garden or along a walkway. In the summertime, the branches are not seen through the masses of twisted leaves. When the branches are revealed in winter, they are a conversation piece. These stems are highly desirable for floral designs—especially in Ikebana designs,” said Monheim. These plants perform particularly well in full sun to part shade. A fun idea is to use this shrub as a border alongside a sidewalk or for privacy in a yard. With knots and tangles like these, it will definitely keep the neighbor kid’s stray ball out of your lawn. Gagliardi appreciates the complicated twisting structure of the tree and the delicate catkins that hang down from the branches in the late winter to early spring. o Lindsay Garbacik is a junior journalism major, with a minor in art history, at the University of Maryland. She is interning this fall semester with Washington Gardener. Photos by James Gagliardi, Smithsonian Gardens. DECEMBER 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

BOOKreviews

The Artisan Herbalist: Making Teas, Tinctures, and Oils at Home Author: Bevin Cohen Publisher: New Society Publishers List price: $24.99 Order link: https://amzn.to/2WjFAG0 Reviewer: Andrea F. Siegel Most of us have a go-to stash of herbs in some form—whether powders or shriveled leaves, or fresh from the garden or store. Typically, they’re seasonings and teas. Suppose you knew how to take advantage of all their uses, from turning them into a soothing skin balm to calming a cough to easing aches? That’s what Bevin Cohen tempts us with in The Artisan Herbalist: Making Teas, Tinctures, and Oils at Home, to be published in the spring of 2021. This is a 144-page volume by an author-grower based in Michigan, and it has enough information and lovely photos to pique a gardener’s curiosity and get a potential herbalist fascinated by the beauty and many properties of 38 common herbs. Cohen notes that he has worked with all the herbs in the book. In four chapters, we learn about making teas, tinctures, and oils; the uses for these herbs; some recipes and formulas; and advice on starting an herbalist business at home. There are cautions in here, for example: for pregnant and nursing women not to ingest goldenrod; to avoid harvesting in places that are treated with synthetic herbicides and pesticides; for using the highest-quality ingredients; and many more. This is neither a textbook nor a compendium of wellness herbs and recipes, although its information would appeal to the aspiring as well as expe18

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

rienced herbalist. At the very least, the book is an exploration into the work of the herbalist, and discusses healthrelated properties of the selected herbs, offering recipes and formulas so the reader can, for example, prepare a salve. The use of herbs for their medicinal characteristics—as remedies and treatments—goes back centuries. That is discussed in the information about each herb. What some people consider folk remedies—for example, that mint tea may ease a tummy ache and that weedy plantain may help heal a wound—do work. Of particular note should be that the herbalist’s work is time-consuming—and that when working with live plants, knowing how potent a particular herb is today compared to last month is important. Readers also may find the book useful for cultivating a hobby in making lotions, herb-infused oils, and the like for themselves or as gifts. The book has no index; it would have been somewhat helpful to have one, but the volume is neither so big nor confusing that an index is missed much. o Andrea Siegel is a Master Gardener in Maryland.

Trees of Life Author: Max Adams Publisher: Princeton University Press List Price: $29.95 Order link: https://amzn.to/2WgJdwj Reviewer: Nicole Noechel Trees are all around us, but we rarely stop to think about their role in our lives and culture. Trees of Life by Max Adams explores the important impact that trees have on humanity, focusing on 80 of the world’s most-important and useful trees. Adams, who is a teacher of the histories of woodland trees and has written several other books, including The Wisdom of Trees, The Little Book of Planting Trees, and In the Land of Giants. He also manages an area of woodland in the northeast of England, so he has had ample first-hand experience with trees himself. When starting to read the book, one immediately notices the range of photos and artwork showcasing the beauty of the different trees. Each species discussed has at least two accompanying pictures, which are large and

eye-catching. These illustrations hold the reader’s attention, even when just skimming through the pages. The first chapter, “Cork, Rubber, Mulberry: A Cornucopia,” discusses tree species that offer important materials we use every day. Did you know that dentists use the natural latex from the gutta-percha tree to fill root canals? Or that the fluffy fibers from the kapok tree’s seeds are natural insulators, used in quilted jackets and pillows? Chapter Two explores trees that are used to create dyes, perfumes, and medicine. For instance, the resin from dragon’s blood trees can be used medicinally as a stimulant, muscle relaxant, and abortifacient, but also as a dye, an adhesive, a varnish for violins, and a glaze for pottery. Berries from sea buckthorn trees are rich in Vitamin C, containing 10 times that of a lemon or orange, and also provide high amounts of Vitamins A, B1, B2 B6, and several minerals. The next chapter delves into trees that bear nuts and fruit. Apple, Brazil nut, pistachio, pear, fig, mango, wild cherry, peach, and walnut trees are discussed at length, as well as lesserknown edibles like the fruit from mangosteen and desert quandong trees. Chapter Four, “Sugar and Spice: a Cook’s Bounty,” offers a look at trees that provide nuts, leaves, and fruits that can spice up any dish. Some species included are nutmeg, sweet chestnut, cacao, olive, cinnamon, avocado, Indian curry-leaf, coffee, maple, and almond. More-exotic specimens, such as sapodilla, baobab shoots, tamarillo, and carob, will have you searching your local foreign food stores to sample the

BOOKreviews ingredients that Adams raves about. Chapter Five includes 13 “supertrees,” which are versatile, “multitasking trees with a rich cultural history.” These include oaks, which house a range of insects and birds; produce highly valued timber and bark, and release vaporized tannin into the air to combat severe insect infestations. Scots pine support mycorrhizal fungi, feed; animals such as red squirrels, pine martens, and numerous bird species; and yield fine, strong, and workable timber. Eucalyptus are fastgrowing and drought-tolerant; hold high levels of complex essential oils in their leaves, bark, and wood; and are harvested to create paper pulp, charcoal, and fence posts. They also provide habitats for animals such as koala bears and possums, as well as pollinating insects. The last chapter is titled “Trees for the Planet.” This chapter looks at trees that are incredibly valuable, benefiting humanity, other plants in their ecosystems, and the planet at large. These include moringa, white lead tree, mangrove, tamarind, gao, and marula. Trees of Life can turn any reader into a tree expert with its abundance of information about the histories, uses, and benefits of different tree species. The full-page photos and illustrations are an added bonus, making this a great book to display in your home and share with other plant lovers. o Nicole Noechel is a senior multiplatform journalism major and history minor at the University of Maryland. She is interning this fall semester with Washington Gardener.

Adventures in Eden: An Intimate Tour of the Private Gardens of Europe Author: Carolyn Mullet Publisher: Timber Press List price: $40.00 Order link: https://amzn.to/3amTcYW Reviewer: Lindsay Garbacik For the wishful traveler inside all of us comes Carolyn Mullet’s new release, Adventures in Eden: An Intimate Tour of the Private Gardens of Europe. The book offers a guide to 50 of the most-elite private gardens in England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, and Italy. Mullet was inspired by the sentimental and emotional idea of home when it came to writing about private gardens. Just as the home is a place of comfort,

the garden offers a place of comfort, but with the added companionship of nature. Mullet previously worked for 30 years as a garden designer in the Washington, DC, area. When she began posting on social media about her favorite gardens, she was surprised to see how many people also appreciated an impressive garden. She now has more than 40,000 followers on Instagram and well over 1 million regular visitors on her Facebook page. She also created Carex Tours, a garden tour company that enables others to see gardens, learn about planting, and connect with nature. The first section of the book, “England,” features a selection of unique gardens from Oxfordshire to Devon to Somerset, with many highquality pictures. Accompanying each image is a page explaining the story and history behind the garden. My personal favorite garden in the book is Wilside in Buckland Monachorum, Devon, England. It is a naturalistic garden that is spread over the surface of mountains, valleys, and hills. The owner, Keith Wiley, estimates he moved close to 110,000 tons of material using a digger to create the topographical features of Wildside. He wanted to create areas throughout the garden that offered similar conditions to the plants’ typical natural environments. Wildside is filled with colorful plants encroaching on one another, but in a way that looks very natural. This is a far cry from the typical palatial and meticulously planned out gardens seen in England during the Elizabethan era. I would love to take a stroll through this

garden during any season. Another interesting garden is Broadwoodside, located in Gifford, East Lothian, in Germany. This meticulously manicured garden is truly a piece of art. The Upper Courtyard of the garden is divided into 25 equal squares, each filled with grass, low evergreen plants, or granite setts, making the design into a checkerboard of greenery. Eight of these planted squares contain maples (Acer platanoides) trimmed into lollipops, creating a particularly whimsical feel. Overall, I enjoyed reading the brief, manageable histories behind these gorgeous European gardens. This book explored many private gardens while giving an inside look into the inspirations behind them, allowing the garden owners to brag a bit about their accomplishments. It was nice to hear directly from the owners of the gardens and get to know them a bit more, rather than just reading a historical summary of the land. This book might just inspire you to live out your own extravagant garden fantasies by starting your own! o Lindsay Garbacik is a junior journalism major, with a minor in art history, at the University of Maryland. She is interning this fall semester with Washington Gardener.

Complete Container Herb Gardening: Design and Grow Beautiful, Bountiful Herb-Filled Pots Author: Sue Goetz Publisher: Cool Springs Press List Price: $26.99 Order Link: https://amzn.to/3872GVI Reviewer: Beth Py-Lieberman Everything you know about putting up plants in pots is probably wrong. You’ve used the wrong soil, bought the wrong pots, put in plants that won’t thrive together, and forgot to water or fertilize them. Maybe for a few, you just got lucky, right? So you think you’re a container gardener. Enter Sue Goetz. For a how-to book on how to do it, her new book is a must-have. Goetz, whose last name rhymes with gets, is out now with her spectacular Complete Container Herb Gardening, chock-full of the stuff of which not even the experienced gardener is aware. The book is the perfect antidote to a chilly winter day, and I recommend you curl up with this one, cup of tea in hand and some Post-it notes at the ready to mark all the new practices you’re going to bring DECEMBER 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

BOOKreviews

GARDENDCpodcast

to next year’s container garden. Goetz gets you going with gentle reassurances for the beginner. “There are no rules about how many kinds of herbs make an herb garden complete. Just one plant on your windowsill makes you an herb gardener.” As a sophisticated partner, Goetz is offering “to expand your herbal horizons.” I have been tinkering for many seasons now with container gardening and grow a fairly decent kitchen garden in a sunny spot close to where I cook. My steady upward learning curve this year, after I revamped all the soil with my own mixture and grew some new varieties of herbs, was particularly rewarding. But now, oh, my! With Goetz, my curve is going to soar. The pots first of all—Goetz explains why you might want to invest in a few of those expensive glazed ceramic ones from the garden center (instead of the cheap ones at the big box stores). Terra cotta covered in glaze and fired at higher temperatures is more-durable and the lessporous clay holds moisture better—a craft that is necessarily more costly. If you can’t afford them, you might try tucking a grow bag inside your pot to “help protect the soil from a surface that may become too warm” and to help with better drainage. Charming, old-fashioned terra cotta, which always dries out for me in the hot sun, can be immersed in buckets of water, and held down until the clay gets heavy with saturation and turns dark with moisture. And l love the ideas she gives for aging clay pots including painting them with a mixture of yogurt and moss to make the pot green for a shady spot. Here’s a crazy idea I never would have thought of: It turns out that 20

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

the clay flues used to line chimneys are “heavy, well made, and relatively inexpensive” and can be magically repurposed to become pots for your herbs. The technical details of how to find the right place for your containers, taking advantage of found microclimates, and matching those to just the right plant is expertise Goetz shares. For those growing gardens on apartment balconies or making considerations for rooftop gardens, there’s much here for you, beginning with how to top-dress the soil so it withstands high winds and parching sun exposure. If you want to attempt a grow wall or adjust your herb choices better for a hanging basket, this book is for you, too. My interest was in her tips for container garden design. I’ve always been in a hurry with my containers. These are the last of my plantings of the season, swiftly tucked into pots and distributed on the deck. Now I’ll be a little less hasty and will use Goetz’s tips for “composing pots that command attention.” The old adage of thrillers, spillers, and fillers is here of course, but now I’m pumped to try out her tips for design, seasonal color play, and balance. For kitchen gardens, you’ll pick up tips for choosing herbs for French, Italian, and Thai recipes, along with growing for herbal teas and beverages, rooting them at the beginning of the season, and drying them at the end. And the pictures—so pretty. So nice to sit here by the fire this winter with this book and think about spring. Dear gardeners, go Goetz this book. o Beth Py-Lieberman is Smithsonian magazine’s museums editor. She gardens at

Love Reading?

These books were reviewed by volunteer members of the Washington Gardener Reader Panel. To join the Washington Gardener Volunteer Reader Panel, please send an email with your name and address to: KathyJentz@gmail.com. We look forward to having you be a vital part of our local publication and its gardening mission. o Note: These book reviews include links to Amazon.com for ordering them. Washington Gardener Magazine may receive a few cents from each order placed after you click on these links.

home with visiting deer in Silver Spring, MD, and is the volunteer liaison for the Fenton Street Community Garden.

GardenDC Podcast Episode Highlights

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 horticulture. The first season has wrapped up with 40 episodes in 2020. Among the most-popular and -commented on were the following: • Episode 9: An in-depth talk with Barbara Bullock about all things azalea—from planting tips to pruning to favorite selections. • Episode 16: A talk with Tony Sarmiento about all things Garlic. The Plant Profile is Lavender and I share my lessons in No-stress Gardening. • Episode 30: A talk with Debby Ward of Prior Unity Garden about all aspects of Seed Saving. The Plant Profile is on Figs and I talk about the ‘Sheffield Pink’ Mums blooming in my garden.

Listener Support Needed You can become a listener-supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! We will give you a thank you shout-out on the next episode. See how at: https:// anchor.fm/kathy-jentz/support.

Ask a Question

We welcome your questions and comments. You can leave one at https:// anchor.fm/kathy-jentz/message

Find Our Podcast

You can listen online at https://anchor. fm/kathy-jentz/ or at our blog: https:// washingtongardener.blogspot.com/. We are available on Spotify, Apple, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts, Overcast, and Google Podcasts. We were recently also added to Podchaser and iHeartRADIO podcasts as well. o

KNOWitall

Ask the Expert By Debra Ricigliano

Pruning Large Camellias

Q: My camellia has gotten very large. How do I go about pruning it and when should I do it?. A: Prune camellias after they have finished blooming. Prune Camellia japonica, which typically bloom in late winter or spring, in mid-to-late spring. Prune Camellia sasanqua (fall blooming) in late fall through late spring. You can prune at other times, but that could reduce the number of blooms next season. Any diseased or dead branches should be removed as soon as you notice them. Prune using thinning and heading cuts. Use thinning cuts to allow light and air to circulate throughout the shrub. Remove an entire branch back to a larger branch or main stem. Use heading cuts to make the shrub bushier because this type of pruning prompts lateral buds to grow. Prune off a portion of the stem above a bud (usually an outward-facing bud) at some point between the beginning of the branch and the tip. Use mostly thinning cuts for size control and heading cuts to shape the shrub and shorten stems.

Planting Potted Chrysanthemums

Q: Every fall, I buy potted chrysanthemums. When they are finished blooming and before the first frost, I plant them in my flower garden. So far, I have not been too successful. I thought they were perennials. Am I just wasting my time? A: Yes, garden mums are perennials, but waiting to plant them until they are finished blooming and before a frost may be one of the reasons they are not returning. They need to be planted in the ground by late August or early September. Roots need time to grow before soils become too cold. Mums have a shallow root system and mulching them with 2–4 inches of shredded leaves, bark mulch, or pine needles will help prevent damage from soil temperature fluctuations. Survival seems to improve when the dead growth is

not pruned back until new basal growth appears at the base of the plants. To ensure fall color next year, plant some fall-blooming perennials, like asters, sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), goldenrod, sedums, and—for colorful foliage—coral bells (Heuchera).

Differentiating Between Open-pollinated and Hybrid Seeds

Q: Last season, I planted my first vegetable garden. Seed catalogs are starting to arrive in the mail. I have been looking through them, but I am confused by some of the terms. What is the difference between open-pollinated and hybrid seeds? A: There are numerous gardening terms to become familiar with when you are just starting out, so I’ll be glad to clear this one up for you. Open-pollinated seeds are produced from natural, random pollination. The plants come “true to type,” meaning offspring will result in a plant similar to the parent. Openpollinated seeds can be saved from year to year. Hybrid seeds are produced by crossbreeding two, distinct, inbred, openpollinated cultivars. Hybrids tend to be vigorous, uniform, and productive, and many have some disease resistance. They are bred to capture and combine the best qualities of the parents. Producing hybrid seed is labor-intensive, accounting in part for the oftenhigher price. Hybrid seed is not true to type: Seed saved from this year’s crop and planted next year will not be uniform in appearance or identical to the mother plants. Therefore, hybrid seed must be purchased each year.

Best Timing for Pollinator Garden Clean-up Q: Last summer, I planted a pollinator garden in my backyard. I was looking for information about garden cleanup in the fall and came across some interesting information. I read that many pollinators and insects that we are trying to protect overwinter in fallen leaves and plant debris. The article advised a hands-off approach to cutting back my perennials in the fall and waiting until spring to clean up the bed. What are your thoughts on this?

A well-pruned camellia shrub blooming in March on the grounds of Hillwood Gardens in Washington, DC.

A: The information you read provided good, relevant advice. Plant stalks, seeds, and fallen leaves provide nesting places, protection, food, and warmth for wintering creatures, including bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators. Shredded leaves, gathered from other areas of your yard after being run over by a lawnmower, make an excellent natural mulch that can be left in your garden. As it breaks down, it will help improve the soil. What we see as aesthetically pleasing is not necessarily the best choice for the wildlife we are trying to protect. Don’t prune the plants back too early in the spring, either. If you can’t wait, place the clippings in a pile in the garden that can be cleaned up later in the spring, just in case leaf-cutter or mason bees have nested in the hollow stems and have not yet emerged. o Debra Ricigliano is a Certified Professional Horticulturist, who has worked as a horticulture consultant for the University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center since 1997. She is a graduate of the Institute of Applied Agriculture at UMCP. To ask a gardening or pest question, go to http://extension.umd.edu/hgic and click on “Get Help.” Digital photos can be attached. DECEMBER 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

BIRDwatch

Feed the Birds

Water Sources

Water is especially important in winter, when puddles and small streams are frozen. Our birdbath is popular all year; in winter, it’s vital for birds. I plug in a birdbath heater, but you can also buy a heated birdbath. Birds are there every hour, every day. Sometimes they’re lined up, taking turns. Robins are especially grateful.

Battling Squirrels

By Cecily Nabors When a friend asked me where goldfinches go on migration, I laughed and said, “To my birdfeeders.” Goldfinches seem to disappear in autumn because they molt into drab attire. Males and females both turn brownish-gray, highlighted by pale yellow throats. Don’t be too quick to tidy your gardens; goldfinches will help clean up all the seeds. Growing native plants helps to feed our birds all year. Our backyard birds will soon be joined by migrants from the North that spend the winter here. If you want to help sustain avian diversity, it’s time to put out bird feeders.

Food and Feeders

Being a good feeder of birds is not just about buying a good bird-feeder. Offer a variety of seed and suet in different feeders for different eaters. Avoid packages of mixed seed with lots of tiny, round millet seeds—much of it will be wasted. Don’t feed bread crumbs—they get moldy fast and provide poor nutrition. • Black-oil sunflower seed: It’s the odds-on favorite with most backyard birds. It works well in tube, hopper, and platform feeders. Don’t let the shells drift into a garden—they are toxic to many other plants. Either sweep them up, or buy the hulled sunflower seed. It’s extremely popular! You’ll see cardinals, 22

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

titmice, house finches, woodpeckers, blue jays, sparrows, chickadees, mourning doves, juncos, and—of course—grackles and starlings. • Nyjer seed: It’s often called “thistle,” but the seeds come from an African daisy. Offer these tiny black seeds in feeders that have small perches or require the bird to hang upside-down. American goldfinches love nyjer. If you’re lucky, you might even get a visit from a pine siskin. One rough winter, a common redpoll found my nyjer feeder, a “life bird” for me. • Peanuts: You can scatter whole peanuts (jays or squirrels will love them), hang a wire mesh feeder holding shelled peanuts, or mix them in with other seed. My peanut feeder is a favorite with blue jays, woodpeckers, wrens, chickadees, and titmice. • Suet: The square blocks are bird magnets. Great for woodpeckers all yearround. In our yard, we have northern flickers, plus downy, hairy, and redbellied woodpeckers, just about any day. In summer, our local catbird clamors for suet. In winter, our local mockingbird tries to claim it. The blocks come in different “flavors,” but I haven’t noticed much difference in popularity.

Squirrels will be an issue! I once hung a wooden feeder in a tree. Squirrels gobbled the seed and then shredded the feeder. Place your feeders 6 feet from anywhere squirrels can reach—they are Olympic-quality jumpers. If your feeders are pole-mounted, use a baffle on the pole. If you have a great spot for a feeder but squirrels can reach it, try safflower seed, because squirrels will mostly leave it alone. Or buy a “squirrel-proof” feeder; their antics as they try to foil it will be your winter entertainment.

For More Advice

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (allaboutbirds.org) is just what its name asserts. For local expert advice and plentiful supplies, visit the Backyard Naturalist in Olney (thebackyardnaturalist.com) or the Audubon Naturalist Society in Chevy Chase (anshome.org). Both stores have curbside pickup.

Your Reward

Feeding birds is not effortless. And it’s not cheap, either: 25 pounds of hulled black-oil sunflower is not “tuppence a bag.” But you’ll find buying the seed and suet, cleaning the feeders, and keeping them filled is worth it. Watch a cardinal’s scarlet flash in a snowy tree, listen to the cheerful trill of a Carolina wren, catch a nuthatch’s upside-down act. You’re making winter easier for them, while they make it beautiful for you. o Cecily Nabors is a retired software manager who has been watching and counting birds for much of her life. She publishes the GoodNatured Observations blog at cecilynabors. com.

ADVERTISINGindex

Your Ad Here

BACK ISSUE SALE!

YOU CAN REQUEST A SINGLE COPY OF PRINT BACK ISSUES FOR $6 EACH OR ANY 6 BACK ISSUES FOR $24, OR ALL 40+ PRINT BACK ISSUES FOR JUST $100. PRICE INCLUDES POSTAGE AND HANDLING. PLEASE SPECIFY THE ISSUE DATE(S). ORDER MUST BE PREPAID BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER. SEND ORDERS TO: WASHINGTON GARDENER, 826 PHILADELPHIA AVE., SILVER SPRING, MD 20910

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

MAY/JUNE 2005 • Stunning Plant Combinations • Turning Clay into Rich Soil • Wild Garlic • Strawberries

JULY/AUGUST 2007 • Groundcovers: Alternatives to Turfgrass • How to Pinch, Prune, & Dead-head • William Paca House & Gardens • Hardy Geraniums

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)

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 ! OUT Tips D • 40+ Free and Low-cost Local Garden SOL ! T • Spring Edibles Planting Guide OU LDfor a Fresh Start • Testing YourSO Soil ! Selection and Care UTTree • Redbud O LD Viewing Spots for Virginia Bluebells • SOBest

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

FALL 2009 • Apples • How to Save Tomato Seeds • Persimmons WINTER 2009 • Battling Garden Thugs • How to Start Seeds Indoors • Red Twig Dogwoods • Unusual Edibles to Grow in Our Region SPRING 2010 • Community Gardens • Building a Raised Bed • Dwarf Iris • Broccoli SUMMER 2010 • Fragrance Gardens • Watering Without Waste • Lavender • Potatoes 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

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.

Want Your Club Profiled? Got a Washington, DC-area garden group, plant society, or neighborhood club that you think should be profiled here? Send the full details to KathyJentz@gmail.com or call 301.588.6894.

Got a Garden Question?

Got a gardening question you need answered? Send your questions to KathyJentz@gmail.com and use the subject line “Q&A.” Please also include your first name, last initial, and what city and state you are writing from. Then look for your answered questions in upcoming issues.

Advertising Index A big THANK YOU to all of our Washington Gardener advertisers. Please tell them you saw their ad in Washington Gardener!

Audubon Naturalist Society General Land Maintenance Green Spring Gardens IzelPlants.com MD HGIC MG Handbook Plant-a-Row GWA Sunshine Farm & Gardens Washington Gardener Back Issues Washington Gardener Speakers White’s Nursery

2 2 2 2 2 5 2 23 2 2

To advertise with us, please contact KathyJentz@gmail.com or call 301.588.6894 today. Next deadline: January 5 DECEMBER 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

You’ve seen those gorgeous garden photos published in magazines and newspapers. Enter this year’s competition and have a chance of getting your images published, too! Whether you take the photos in your own backyard, a nearby public garden, or while visiting friends and family in their local gardens, there are so many photographic opportunities to be found. Let’s show off the best in DC-area gardening! This contest offers an opportunity for all photographers to present their best shots of gardens in the greater Washington, DC, area. Contest entries will be judged on technical quality, composition, originality, and artistic merit. More than $500 in prizes will be awarded! Winning images will be published in Washington Gardener magazine, displayed during the Washington Gardener Seed Exchange, and appear in a local photo exhibit.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Each entrant is limited to a total of 10 images. Each electronic file must be identified with your last name and entry category. For example, GardenCreature1-Jones.jpg or SmallWonders8.-Smithjpg. All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared in the viewfinder. Nothing should be added to an image and, aside from dust spots, nothing should be removed. Cropping and minor adjustments to electronic images to convert RAW files are acceptable. If an image is selected as a finalist, a high-resolution digital file might be required before finalizing our results. Digitally captured images should be taken at the camera’s highest resolution (3 megapixels or larger). For preliminary judging, digital files must be submitted in JPEG format sized to 1,000 pixels on the longest side at 300 dpi. If photos are taken with a film camera, they must be scanned in and submitted in JPEG format sized to 1,000 pixels on the longest side at 300 dpi. Contest entries can be submitted via email to DCGardenPhotos@aol. com. Use the subject line “WG Photo Contest” and include an entry form for each image in your email’s text field. 24

WASHINGTON GARDENER

DECEMBER 2020

15TH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST Entries can also be sent as a CDROMs. Please verify their integrity by making sure they are readable and not damaged. We reserve the right to disqualify any disk that is unreadable or defective. Please check your CDs with the latest virus-detection software. We will disqualify any disk that appears to contain a virus or a suspicious file. Label each CD and case with your full name. We strongly suggest mailing CDs in protective cases. We are not responsible for disks damaged during shipping. No CDs will be returned, but they can be picked up after judging. Send your entries and entry fee to: Washington Gardener Photo Contest, 826 Philadelphia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Mailed entries must be received by January 22, 2021. You can print out blank entry forms from the Washington Gardener blog (WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com) or from our Facebook page. We will verify all entries so please ensure your email address is included on all items. Entrants must not infringe on the rights of any other photographer, landowner, or other person. Photos involving willful harassment of wildlife or destruction of any property are unacceptable. The entrant must have personally taken the photo. By entering, you state this is your work and it is free of copyright elsewhere. Failure to comply with any contest guidelines will lead to disqualification.

category or submit all 10 in one category. Photos must have been taken during the 2020 calendar year in a garden located within a 150-mile radius of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. • Garden Views: Beautiful, dramatic, or unusual perspectives of a garden landscape, including wide shots showing the setting. Subject can be a private or public garden. • Garden Vignettes: Groupings of plants in beds or containers, unusual color or texture combinations, garden focal points, and still scenes. Subject can be photographed in a private or public garden. • Small Wonders: Tight close-up images or macro shots of single flowers, plant parts, fruits, vegetables, etc. Subject can be photographed in a private or public garden. • Garden Creatures: Images of insects, birds, frogs, pets, etc., in a private or public garden setting.

CONTEST ENTRY FEE

Your entry to this contest constitutes your agreement to allow your photographs and your name, city, state, and photo description texts to be published in upcoming issues of Washington Gardener and used for other related purposes including, but not limited to, Washington Gardener Photo Contest promotions and online, live presentations, and gallery exhibits. Entrants retain ownership and all other rights to future use of their photographs.