Washington Gardener February 2020 by Kathy J

FEBRUARY 2020 VOL. 14 NO. 12

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the magazine for gardening enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlantic region

Hakone Grass: A Multi-Season Stunner Meet Inspiring Agriculture Educator Lori Mayhew Create Instant Winter Cheer with Pre-Forced Bulbs What To Do in the Garden This Month DC-MD-VA Gardening Events Calendar

Expert Tips for Speeding Up Seed Germination

17Award-Winning Garden Photos

RESOURCESsourc ��

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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

o oo o oo Need a Garden Club Speaker?

Washington Gardener Magazine’s staff and writers are available to speak to groups and garden clubs in the greater DC region. Call 240.603.1461 or email KathyJentz@gmail.com for available dates, rates, and topics.

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.

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FEATURES and COLUMNS

Pre-forced flower bulbs are bulbs in a pot filled with potting soil that are all set to produce flowers. Depending on the temperature in your home, they can keep on blooming for up to three weeks. You can watch how a preforced flower bulb grows—almost by the hour—to produce a big colorful flower. Pre-forced bulbs require little care. Put them in a place that receives plenty of light and give them a little water now and then. Photo courtesy of iBulb.com.

Win passes to the Maryland Home & Garden Show. See contest details on page 5.

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Treasure Island Sweet Potatoes were recently recognized with a Green Thumb Award in the Edible Plants category by the Direct Gardening Association at their DGA 2020 Winter Meeting in Orlando, FL. Unlike other ornamental Ipomoea (sweet potato) varieties, these edible varieties offer yields that are on par with commercial varieties. Photo courtesy of Concept Plants.

‘All Gold’ Japanese Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa macra) is a vigorously growing, all-gold version of the Hakone grass. A cascading habit makes it perfect for the landscape or container. It spreads slowly through rhizomes and it is adaptable to part-sun to fullshade conditions.

See the winning Garden Photo Contest selections starting on page 6.

BOOKreviews 16-17 Regrow Your Veggies, Pruning Simplified, Succulents Guide HORThappenings 22 APLD Winter Lecture, MANTS, Hyattsville Horticulture Society, Kokedama Class NEIGHBORnetwork 14-15 Lori Mayhew, Damascus High School Agriculture Educator NEWPLANTspotlight 19 Treasure Island Sweet Potatoes PETgardens 17 British Ambassador’s Cat PHOTOcontest 6-11 Garden Photo Contest Winners PLANTprofile 20 Hakone Grass SPECIALfeature 21 Seed Exchange Event Wrap-Up TIPStricks 18 Wild Orchid Stamps, Seed Germination Tips, Forced Bulbs

DEPARTMENTS

ADVERTISINGindex BLOGlinks EDITORletter GARDENcontest LOCALevents MONTHLYtasklist NEXTissue RESOURCESsources

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ON THE COVER The grand prize winner of our Garden Photo Contest, taken by Howard Clark. See details on page 6. In our March issue: Green Matters Wrap-Up 15th Anniversary Special and much more . . .

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

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EDITORletter

Credits Kathy Jentz Editor/Publisher & Advertising Sales Washington Gardener 826 Philadelphia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301-588-6894 kathyjentz@gmail.com www.washingtongardener.com Call today to place your ad with us! Ruth E. Thaler-Carter Proofreader Emily Coakley Charlotte Parker Dulany Interns

Don’t Believe the (Plant) Hype

There is an old adage in customer service that goes, “under-promise and over-deliver.” That practice guarantees your customers get more than they expected and are always pleased with the outcome. Then, there is the marketing practice of getting people “hyped up” about a new product so their excitement spreads to other potential customers and sales increase. With this tactic, customers can get burned by over-inflated promises and disappointing results. How many of us have been suckered in while reading a British garden book that extolled the virtues of a certain plant? We find that local garden centers don’t carry it, so we comb the internet and order it. We carefully plant it, then wait and watch, only to find it fizzle out in our Mid-Atlantic summer heat and humidity. But do we blame the Brits or our climate? No, we blame ourselves. We try again, failing again. The two plants in this category that dear readers lament to me about the most are the ornamental Sweet Pea and classic blue Delphiniums. Both are tempting and should we ever have a mild summer again, not impossible, but they generally are not good choices for beginners. The next “don’t believe the hype” plants that lead readers to cry on my shoulder are the mophead hydrangeas and big slicing tomatoes of our youth. I hate to break it to everyone, but those days are pretty well over. Our summer nights now don’t allow the tomato plants to cool down enough to develop the large fruits that we recall eating as children. On the opposite end of the seasons, our winters lately have a pattern of warm spurts followed abruptly by polar-vortex temperature dips that nip any flowerbuds on our old-fashioned mopheads just as they are forming. This is heartbreakingly unfair, but luckily, breeders are developing hydrangeas that bloom on old and new wood, as well as shorter-season tomatoes. Keep the old “buyer beware” adage in mind when reading garden catalogs, online reviews, and garden books this season. Ask yourself two things: “Is this too good to be true?” and “Is this person a local gardener?” Happy gardening,

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

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Cover price: $4.99 Back issues: $6.00 Subscription: $20.00 • Washington Gardener Blog: www.washingtongardener.blogspot.com • Washington Gardener Archives: http://issuu.com/washingtongardener • Washington Gardener Discussion Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ WashingtonGardener/ • Washington Gardener Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/WDCGardener • Washington Gardener Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Washington GardenerMagazine/ • Washington Gardener Youtube: www.youtube.com/ washingtongardenermagazine • Washington Gardener Store: www.amazon.com/shop/wdcgardener • 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 14, Number 12 ISSN 1555-8959 © 2020 Washington Gardener All rights reserved. Published quarterly. No material may be reproduced without prior written permission. This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that the information presented is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher as to legality, completeness, or technical accuracy. All uncredited photos in this issue are © Kathy Jentz.

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Reader Contest

For our February 2020 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, Washington Gardener is giving away five pairs of passes to the Maryland Home & Garden Show (including Craft Show) at the Maryland State Fairgrounds (prize value: $24). The Maryland Home and Garden Show (www.mdhomeandgarden.com/spring) is back at the Maryland State Fairgrounds for two weekends (Saturday, February 29–Sunday, March 1, and Friday, March 6–Sunday, March 8) with 400 contractors and experts to make it all possible. This year’s theme will showcase gardens with beautiful outdoor entertaining spaces. In today’s busy world, we all need an inviting outdoor place to enjoy with family and friends. The Maryland Orchid Society will present a stunning flower show and sale with thousands of orchids on display. Visitors will be amazed at the many varieties of these spectacular flowers! Several Maryland wineries at the show will offer free tastings with bottles available for purchase. To enter to win a pair of passes to the Maryland Home & Garden Show, send an email to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on Wednesday, February 26, with “Maryland Home & Garden Show” in the subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in this issue and why. Include your full name and address. Winners will be announced on March 1.

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.

Y ou Can Make a Difference. . . by

Sharing Your Harvest

Plant an extra row in your garden and deliver the harvest to a local food bank or shelter. The need is great! With your help, PAR can continue to make a difference for America’s most vulnerable. Call our toll-free number (877.GWAA.PAR) or visit our website at www.gardenwriters.org/par for more information.

Our readers share what they are growing from seed this year. I’ll be growing sunflowers, zinnias, and several veggies from seed this year. ~ Sunna Mahmood, Alexandria, VA What am I growing from seed this year? Ohhhhhh so many things! :) Plans include: • tomatoes (so many kinds, and this year I’m experimenting more with determinants) • peppers (hot and bell) • eggplants • squash (winter and maybe a few summer) • beans (pole and bush) • all sorts of greens (lettuce, spinach, kale, mustard) • herbs (parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, shiso, lavender, chives) • whatever flower seeds I get from the Washington Gardener Seed Exchange! • other fun things I pick up at the Seed Exchange! I’m looking forward to this event as I do every year, to kick off my gardening season with inspiration, information, and some new treasures. ~ Sonia Zamborsky, Falls Church, VA I eagerly look forward to sowing lots of cold-hardy brassicas this early spring. I hope to try some new ones as well, such as varieties of garbanzo beans and other pulses. ~ Elizabeth Levien, Silver Spring, MD My list of seeds to start this year includes many edible plants and annual flowers that are tried-and-true varieties for me. They are: • ‘Sugar Baby’ watermelon • ‘Blue Lake’ green beans • ‘Sugar Ann’ peas • ‘White Wonder’ cucumber • ‘Danvers’ carrot • ‘Southern Giant’ mustard greens • ‘Red Belgian’ pepper • ‘French Breakfast’ radish • ‘Sensation Mix’ cosmos • ‘Crackerjack Mix’ marigolds • ‘Empress of India’ nasturtium • ‘Arkansas Traveler’ tomato • ‘Waltham’ butternut squash • ‘Big Max’ pumpkin ~ Erin Johnson, Washington, DC o FEBRUARY 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

14th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

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14TH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST DETAILS

Here are the 17 winners in the Washington Gardener Magazine 14th Annual Photo Contest. Close to 220 photos were submitted in this year’s contest from 27 entrants. I know our expert judge had a Herculean task in picking out the best of the best! It was great to see several first-time entrants place highly. Many of these photos come from the photographers’ own home gardens, while the majority of the rest of the images were taken at public gardens in our region. The winners were announced live during the Washington Gardener Seed Exchange on Saturday, February 1, at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, VA. Congratulations to the 2020 DC Garden Photo Contest winners and thank you to all who entered.

WHERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS AT THEIR FULL QUALITY Winning images will be displayed during the Washington Gardener Seed Exchanges and appear in a local photo exhibit from June 1 through June 29 at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA. Everyone is invited to join us at the Opening Reception, from 2–3:30pm on Sunday, May 31.

THANK YOU TO OUR JUDGE: Elizabeth Olson, certified photography judge with the Maryland Association of Agricultural Fairs & Shows (MAAFS).

THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 PRIZE SPONSORS: • Capital Photography Center, LLC • Fiskars Tools • Washington Photo Safari Additional prizes supplied by Washington Gardener Magazine

WASHINGTON GARDENER

Grand Prize Winner (on the cover)

Howard Clark, Montgomery Village, MD “Mid-March Delight” Location: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA The photograph is a close-up of a Lenten Rose (Helleborus) flower. Taken using a Canon 70–300 mm lens in natural light. He is a professional photographer with 56 years’ experience.

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Images of insects, birds, frogs, domestic pets, wild animals, etc., in a private or public garden setting.

First Place

Mike Whalen, Fairfax Station, VA “Eastern Tiger Swallowtail“ Location: Photographer’s home garden in Fairfax Station, VA An Eastern tiger swallowtail on a butterfly bush in late June. Taken using a Sony ILCE-7RM3 with Sony FE 100-400 GM lens, exposure: 1/160 sec at f/5.6, focal length: 224 mm, ISO 2000. Mike is an amateur photographer with 13 years’ experience.

Second Place

Eva Lanyi, Alexandria, VA “Looking for Lunch” Location: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Washington, DC Image shows a spider lurking on a waterlily blossom where a bee is gathering nectar. Taken using a Nikon D750; Lens: Nikon 70–300 mm; f/10 at 1/1000 sec; ISO 1600 at 300 mm. Eva is an amateur photographer with seven years’ experience.

Third Place

Lilian Cerdeira, Rockville, MD “Juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird” Location: Photographer’s home garden in Rockville, MD Juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a garden stake. Taken with a Canon 7D Mark II, Sigma 100–400 mm lens, 1/500 sec. f/6.3 251 mm, ISO 2000. Lilian is an amateur photographer with 30 years’ experience.

FEBRUARY 2020

14th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

Garden Creatures Category

WASHINGTON GARDENER

14th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

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Garden Vignettes Category Groupings of plants in beds or containers, unusual color or texture combinations, garden focal points, and still scenes.

First Place

Howard Clark, Montgomery Village, MD “Path to Statue ” Location: Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, Washington, DC Pink and white azaleas line a path leading to a statue. Taken using a Canon 24–105 mm lens in natural light. He is a professional photographer with 56 years’ experience.

Second Place

Linda McKnight, Rockville, MD “Tea Cup Vignette with Tulips and Grape Hyacinths” Location: Chanticleer Garden, Wayne, PA A very interesting combination of textures, colors, and plants around a large tea cup fountain. The arrangement was surrounded by chairs and was a lovely place to rest and enjoy the sunlight and the sound of water flowing. Taken with a Canon 5D Mark IV, 16–35 mm Canon lens, natural lighting, focal length 35 mm. Linda is a semi-pro photographer with 40 years’ experience.

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Third Place

Karin Melinda Reber, Arlington, VA “Orchids and Aquilegia” Location: Private Garden, Kensington, MD Late-spring plant combination of Bletilla and Aquilegia with Azaleas and Caladiums peeking out in the background. Taken using a Google Pixel 3 XL, ƒ/1.8, 1/123, 4.44 mm, ISO 56. Karin is an amateur photographer with 10 years’ experience.

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Tight close-up or macro image of a single flower, plant parts, leaves, fruits, etc.

First Place

Mike Whalen, Fairfax Station, VA “Milkweed Seeds“ Location: Photographer’s home garden in Fairfax Station, VA Butterfly weed (milkweed) pod expelling its seeds in late September. Taken using a Sony ILCE-7RM3 with Sony FE 100–400 GM lens, exposure: 1/250 sec at f/11, focal length: 361 mm, ISO 800. Mike is an amateur photographer with 13 years’ experience.

Second Place

Linda McKnight, Rockville, MD “Pinwheel and Shadow” Location: Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD This macro shot shows the stamens and pistils of the hybiscus. Who is it trying to attract? Taken with a Canon 5D Mark IV, 100 mm macro Canon lens, in natural lighting. Linda is a semi-pro photographer with 40 years’ experience.

Third Place

Georgette Grossman, Dunn Loring, VA “Himalayan Blue Poppies” Location: Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA The photographer was drawn to this group of Blue Poppies at Longwood. Spot metering on the flowers made them stand out against the darker background. Taken using a Fuji X-T3 with a Fuji XF 80 mm lens, f/5.6, 1/20 sec, ISO 200; with a tripod, in natural light. She is an amateur photographer with 14 years’ experience.

FEBRUARY 2020

14th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

Small Wonders Category

WASHINGTON GARDENER

14th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

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Garden Views Category Beautiful, dramatic, or unusual perspectives of a garden landscape, including wide shots showing the setting.

First Place

Angela Napili, Washington, DC “Constitution Gardens” Location: Constitution Gardens, Washington, DC Clouds and the Washington Monument as viewed from Constitution Gardens. Taken using a Nikon D750, lens: 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ƒ/7.1, 35.0 mm, 1/3200s, 250 ISO, no flash. Angela is an amateur photographer with 11 years’ experience.

Second Place

Janet Sifers, Oak Hill, VA “Fall by the Creek” Location: Oak Hill, VA Fall view of the creek and the pond. Taken using an iPhone 8, 1/800 sec at f/1.8, 3.99 mm, ISO 20. She is an amateur photographer with 10 years of experience.

Third Place

Janet Sifers, Oak Hill, VA “Sunflower Sunset” Location: McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, Poolesville, MD Sunset over the sunflowers. Taken using an iPhone 8, 1/60 sec at f/1.8, 3.99 mm, ISO 250. She is an amateur photographer with 10 years of experience.

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Eva Lanyi, Alexandria, VA “Dog Walker” Location: Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria, VA A man and his dog walking toward the photographer on a snow-covered path under a canopy of snow-laden trees. Taken using a Nikon D750; lens: Nikon 24-120 mm; f/8 at 1/160 sec; ISO 400 at 112 mm. Eva is an amateur photographer with seven years’ experience.

Honorable Mention Garden Vignettes

Teresa K. Hughes, Germantown, MD “Colonial Williamsburg” Location: Colonial Williamsburg, VA This is a garden filled with flowers lining the fence in the rear of one of the historic-area homes in Colonial Williamsburg. Taken with a Nikon D810, ƒ/8.0, 26.0 mm, 1/100, ISO 200. She is an amateur photographer with 11 years’ experience.

Honorable Mention Garden Creatures

Mar Acevedo, Springfield, VA “Playful Fawn“ Location: Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria, VA Fawn playing in the swamp, Taken using a Nikon D500 camera with AF-S Nikkor 200 lens, set at 500 mm 1:5.6E; 1/800 sec. f/5.6 ISO 1600; in natural lighting. He is an amateur photographer with six years’ experience.

Honorable Mention - Small Wonders

Linda McKnight, Rockville, MD “Fiddlehead” Location: Chanticleer Garden, Wayne, PA This garden used the dried ferns to create boundaries around the planted areas. Perhaps this young fiddlehead will grow up to become a boundary marker? Taken with a Canon 5D Mark IV, 100 mm macro Canon lens, natural lighting. Linda is a semi-pro photographer with 40 years’ experience.

FEBRUARY 2020

14th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

Honorable Mention Garden Views

WASHINGTON GARDENER

TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS DC-Area Gardening Calendar ~ Events ~ February 16–March 16, 2020 • Tuesday, February 18, 11am–1pm Hands-On Apple Tree Grafting Join farmer Wesley Cornell for a handson workshop about grafting apple trees. Attendees will be using scion wood from ‘Black Twig’, a hardy southern U.S. heirloom apple, and ‘M7’ semi-dwarfing rootstock. You’ll leave with your own ready-to-plant tree and the knowledge to create many more. Bring your questions and feel free to bring extra scion wood to share. This event, held at 3425 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. WDC, will be followed by a potluck lunch. Register at www.eventbrite.com. • Wednesday, February 19, 7:30—9pm Carnivorous Plants and Their Murderous Ways: A Tale of Traps, Pools, and Deadly Hugs Venture into the world of the bizarre and experience the fascinating world of carnivorous plants with speaker Serenella Linares. We will look through Darwin’s eyes and his first experiments with Drosera to understand the habitats that gave rise to such incredible creatures. Held at Historic Takoma, 7328 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, MD. Bring your recycled nametag, a snack to share, and a friend. This talk is free and open to all. It is hosted by the Takoma Horticultural Club. • Saturday, February 22, 8:30am– 2:30pm Gardening with 20/20 Vision: Focus on the Future This year’s Montgomery County Master Gardener Spring Gardening Conference will offer courses to help you decide what to grow and how to manage your landscape to create a sustainable gardens for the future. Held at the University of Maryland Extension, Montgomery County Office, 18410 Muncaster Rd., Derwood, MD. Fee: $60 per person. Register at eventbrite.com. • Saturday February 22, 1pm Tools of the Trade Whether they do pruning, wiring, or repotting, bonsai artists have a specialized tool kit. Take a closer look at some of the tools commonly used with bonsai. U.S. National Arboretum staff will 12

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talk about how to use, clean, sharpen, and store these essential tools. This hands-on free program is intended for anyone interested in the art of bonsai. Meet in the Yoshimura Center. No registration required and the event is free. • Monday, February 24, 8:00pm Top 10 Weeding Tips The Silver Spring Garden Club hosts this talk by Kathy Jentz, editor and publisher of Washington Gardener, which will explore proven ways to combat weeds and keep them down to a manageable level, while still being able to enjoy your garden. This talk will also include a list of the most-common weeds and which are the worst challenges to fight off in our local gardens. Free and open to all. Held at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD. See www. silverspringgardenclub.com. • Monday, February 24, 7–8:30pm Spring Lawn Care Held at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, VA. Free. Advance registration requested at mgnv.org. • Tuesday, February 25, 7:30pm An Introduction to the Year of the Grasses Chris Frye, Maryland State Botanist, will start off the Maryland Native Plant Society’s year-long study of the Grass family (Poaceae), one of the largest families of flowering plants and one of the most important to human survival. Held at the Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Ave., Kensington, MD. The program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Details at https://www.mdflora.org/. • Wednesday, February 26, 7:30pm Cherry Blossoms, Symbols of Friendship and Courage Speaker Ann McClellan will explore the images and tales associated with the ethereal Japanese cherry blossoms. People have celebrated the blooming of these trees for more than 1000 years, and today they serve as instruments of diplomacy and signifiers of military fortitude, landscape enhancements, and

eternal signs of spring and romance. Hosted by the Beltsville Garden Club at the Duckworth School, 11201 Evans Trail, Beltsville, MD. Free and open to all. See www.beltsvillegardenclub.org. • Thursday, February 27, 6:30–8:30pm Botanical Brainiacs Trivia Night Join District Trivia to test your familiarity with all things plants. This program is designed to be inclusive of all types of knowledge—plant science, history, pop culture, the culinary world, and more. They welcome everyone from budding learners to full-bloom experts. Each program features a live host to facilitate the game and lasts for approximately two hours. You’ll play in teams. The trivia includes more than 55 questions, a picture round, and a specially designed round you’ll only see at the U.S. Botanic Garden. Note: program is intended for those 21 years of age and older. Small bites and beverage will be provided. Fee: $20. Pre-registration required, visit www.USBG.gov/Programs. • Saturday, February 29 12th Annual Rooting DC Rooting DC is a free, all-day urban gardening forum that provides education about urban agriculture and food systems, cultivates health and protection of the environment, and builds community. Held at Ron Brown Prep, 4800 Meade St. NE, WDC. Register at https://www.rootingdc.org/. • Saturday, February 29, 10–11am Citizen Science for Gardeners and Nature Lovers Explore the concept of data gathering. Gardeners, naturalists, and entomologists are recording the world around them through web-based social media applications. Bird migration, butterfly numbers, invasive plant spread, and insect populations are just some examples of data collected by an ecologist and citizen-scientist cyber community. Karen Rexrode will introduce some applications of interest to gardeners and nature lovers. For ages 16 to adult. Fee: $18 per person. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes (code C4C.7A2A).

TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS DC-Area Gardening Calendar ~ Events ~ February 16–March 16, 2020 • Saturday, February 29, 8am–4pm 2020 Mid-Atlantic Regional Symposiun: Perennially Inspired The Perennial Plant Association and the Horticultural Society of Maryland present a one-day program with four topnotch speakers and lots of opportunities to mingle with fellow perennial lovers. This year’s program also includes a private screening of “Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf.” Held at the Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt. 6502 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD. Register at https://perennialplant.org/ page/Mid-AtlanticRegional. • Wednesday, March 4, 10am–10pm. Washington Gardener Magazine’s Philadelphia Flower Show Getaway Departing from downtown Silver Spring, MD. SOLD OUT. • Friday, March 6 HOAs and Condo Associations: Sustainable Solutions to Landscaping Headaches Speakers will address topics of native plant and wildlife habitat conservation; legal aspects of HOA governance; and examples of community association properties that model innovative sustainable landscape practices, conservation, and design. Other land management and conservation experts will be on hand at information tables with information and to answer questions. Held at Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus. Details and registration: https://www.plantnovanatives. org/symposiums-for-hoa-and-condoassoc-. • Saturday, March 7, 1-3pm Ceramic Garden Marker Workshop Join Heather Lezla from Persimmon Street Ceramics for an afternoon botanical ceramic workshop. She will demonstrate how to make colorful and functional garden markers out of Porcelain clay using stamps and hand building tools. Then, roll up your sleeves and make and customize up to eight markers for your own garden! She will fire the markers in her studio kiln and return them to River Farm (by March 20) wrapped in rustic burlap bags.

Clay and tools will be provided. Garden markers can be shipped for an additional fee. Held at American Horticultural Society at River Farm, 7931 East Boulevard Dr., Alexandria, VA. More details at https://bit.ly/3968ZHK. • Thursday, March 12, 6:30–8pm Discuss The Overstory: A Novel with the Washington Gardener Magazine’s Garden Book Club The next Garden Book Club selection is The Overstory: A Novel by Richard Powers. You can order it new or used at Washington Gardener’s Amazon link: https://amzn.to/39pM8aA. Held at Soupergirl, right next to the Takoma metro stop. The Garden Book Club is free and open to all. • Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15 Friends of Brookside Gardens’ Annual Orchid Show & Sale This event offers something for beginners and experts alike, including the opportunity to consult with orchid experts, enjoy vibrant displays, and purchase orchids either to add to existing collections or start a new one from top area growers. There will also be an onsite repotting clinic where your orchids can get a thorough checkup. Held at the Brookside Gardens Visitor Center. For more details, see http:// www.friendsofbrooksidegardens.org/. • Now through March 22 Orchid Extravaganza Longwood Gardens transforms its conservatory into an orchid oasis as colorful blooms cascade down walls, spill from containers, and hang from above throughout Longwood’s 4.5 acres of indoor heated gardens. In early March, Longwood’s famed blue poppies (Meconopsis ‘Lingholm’), known for their unique hue, return to the conservatory for a limited time. Longwood has successfully produced a crop of blue poppies each winter since 2003. Outdoors, witch hazel blooms punctuate the landscape and entice guests to stroll the winter landscape. See garden entry fees and details online at longwoodgardens.org.

Save These Future Dates • Saturday March 28, 8:30am–3:45pm Lahr Native Plant Symposium and Native Plant Sale The 34th Annual Lahr Symposium continues the tradition of presenting subject matter experts on ecological, botanical, and horticultural advancements in a daylong program held at the U.S. National Arboretum. Hear about current research on the ecology and the impact of invasive plants; learn about the positive role beneficial insects can play in your landscape; and expand your knowledge of the many ways native plants and ecosystem-based design bring beauty and ecological benefits to the home garden and wider world. Registration required; fee: $102 (includes processing fee). See www.fona.org. • Saturday, April 18—Sunday, April 19 Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival The 30th Annual Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival will take place during the third weekend in April. Admission is free. For this event, the entire town closes down and the streets become lined with vendors’ tents featuring artisanal horticultural products, plants and art to purchase. You will find rare plants, decorative hanging baskets, and all things garden. Details at www. flowerandgarden.org. • Saturday, April 25—Sunday, April 26 FONA Garden Fair Details at www.FONA.org

Still More Event Listings See even more event listings on the Washington Gardener Yahoo discussion list. Join the list at http://groups.yahoo. com/group/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 March 5 for the February 2020 issue, for events taking place after March 15. o FEBRUARY 2020

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NEIGHBORnetwork

Meet Teacher Lori Mayhew: Royce Hanson Awardee By Emily Coakley

Each year, the Royce Hanson Award is given to a person who has improved the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve or local agriculture. This year, Damascus High School agriculture educator Lori Mayhew is the recipient of the award. I had a chance to interview Lori to learn a little bit more about her, her accomplishments, and her impact on the agricultural world.

a gold finish in both. I was also one of the first nine finalists in 1988 for the FFA National Agriscience Contest.

Tell us your background and how you first got involved with agriculture. I am a local girl; grew up in Hyattstown, MD, and went to Clarksburg Elementary School before we moved just over the line into Frederick County, where I graduated from Linganore High School with an academic diploma and a concentration in horticulture. My family has always been in natural resources and education. My father, Bob Powell, was the manager of Little Bennet and Black Hills Parks in Montgomery County, so the Damascus area was my childhood playground and I grew up going to Jimmy Cone, a Damascus landmark. My mother was a PE teacher, my grandfather was a Pennsylvania game biologist, and my grandmother was also a teacher. My love for horticulture and agriculture developed in high school as I took courses in floriculture. I excelled at the curriculum and loved growing things. I was active in the FFA and won the state Floriculture and Nursery Landscape Career Development Events (CDEs) and competed at the National FFA level with

What is a typical workday like for you? My day begins at 5:00am. I make breakfast and lunch for myself and my children. It’s my favorite part of the day—I am a morning person. I arrive at school at about 7:20, and check email and prep lessons for the day. Class begins at 7:45 am. I teach five classes a day that involve our greenhouse operations, floral design, technology education shop lab, and several hydroponics systems. We have modified our schedule to provide a 50-minute lunch block [as] a time for students to get extra help, retake tests, and meet in study groups to support classroom performance. My teaching day ends at 2:30 pm, but meetings and events frequently take up evenings. I take students on about 10 field trips a year to expose them to career opportunities in the field of agriculture and to increase their voice in advocating for agriculture. Professionally, I am a member of our school instructional leadership team, our head union representative, the Maryland Agriculture Teachers Association, past president. I sit on the Mary-

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What is one thing you want people to know about you? One thing people should know about me is agriculture education is a calling. I am an ag teacher by choice, not by chance.

land FFA Foundation board and the Maryland FFA Board of Directors. I usually have two to three evening meetings a month. You are the 2019 Royce Hanson Awardee. Tell us about your emotions when you found out. What does this award mean to you? I was speechless. I try to provide the best educational experience for students and one that expands beyond the schoolhouse doors. I don’t always see what I do as special or extra. I was very fortunate in my educational pathway and “above and beyond” was how my high school agriculture teacher, Mr. Jim Ferrant, taught. This is agriculture: Animals need to be fed, plants need to be watered, and it has to be done every day regardless of the weather. (Once, Mr. Ferrant came and picked me up from home because we had a snow day, we had a wedding floral order that had to be ready for pick-up that afternoon, not getting it done was not an option.) This is a career in agriculture and my job has 24–7 elements just like our agriculturalists. This award means that I have really been doing my job in a way that will have an impact on the industry beyond my life and my accomplishments. My former student, Mallory Anderson, is currently serving as a Maryland State FFA Officer, Office of Sentinel, [and] a national #SpeakAG Ambassador (one of 12 in the United States). I have three former students who are currently

NEIGHBORnetwork teaching agriculture education. Many students are building careers in agriculture and horticulture that they may not have found had it not been for their experience with me. I think the real meaning of this award for me is that it’s leaving a legacy of people (the ones I have had the opportunity to influence) who will continue to advocate for agriculture and protect the opportunity for future generations to engage in agriculture pursuits. What is your favorite part about what you do? What is the hardest part? My favorite part of teaching agriculture is seeing a student excited or fully engaged in putting their learning into practice. It might be making a floral arrangement or growing a houseplant, or even looking over my shoulder and saying, “That’s a florist cyclamen, right?” and demonstrating that they really were paying attention when I was teaching plant identification last year. (That just happened today!) The hardest part is feeling like I never have enough time to teach my students everything they want to know. We also seem to have less time each year to plan and prepare the lessons that make students light up about learning. What are you most proud of accomplishing for local agriculture? I am most proud that I have been able to start and maintain a comprehensive agriculture education program that includes FFA for the last 20 years at Damascus High School. Our horticulture program is the only one of its type in Montgomery County, and it has taken a lot of hours and community support to develop the program for students. What is one piece of advice you can give our readers? “Growing food is hard, really hard, but everyone can grow something,” so keep buying that houseplant in winter, pick up that herb, tuck that “ornamental” tomato in the flower bed where it gets the most sun, and keep on trying. What is one thing you wish more people knew about agriculture? The job opportunities are limitless and in high demand, and very diverse. For every person you see planting a tree, mowing a lawn, or making a prom cor-

sage, it takes a minimum of five people in behind-the-scenes jobs to make that “highly visible” activity possible. These are well-paying careers waiting for our students, and these careers are right here in the metro area in agriculture and, more specifically, the green industry. These careers also have many entry points, making them suitable for students who want a college degree and students who want to go directly to the world of work [from high school]. Are you currently working on any new projects? My current new project is the development of a speaker series for students to attend to learn more about the hidden careers in horticulture and agriculture. The title is “Green Industry careers are hiding in your backyard.” We have hosted three speakers so far and I am looking forward to adding at least three more. Students get a brief overview, Q-and-A session, and lunch when they register to attend. I am hopeful I will be able to grow the event to include a parent and community engagement night so they also can learn more about the industry and the program we offer at Damascus. Any final thoughts? The program that I teach is called the Certified Professional Horticulturist or

CPH. Students take four credits—Foundations of Horticulture, Plant Production, Landscape Management—and then complete an internship or capstone experience. One of the best parts of the program is the lasting relationships I make with students and the unique opportunity to be with them for four years in high school. It is great to get to know them so well. We are also enhancing our existing partnership with the Rain Gardens native plants program that provides local ecotype native plants for high school students to grow. We turn back 25% to the program for project installation, and we then take the remaining plants and complete planting projects with the remaining stock. This year, we hope to enhance our work with natives by assisting Butler’s Orchard and their native pollinator habitat to improve the diversity of pollinators for crops, while showcasing the beauty of our oftenoverlooked native plants and improving our local ecosystem. o Emily Coakley is a senior broadcast journalism major, as well as a history minor, at the University of Maryland. She is from Westminster, MD; loves to travel; and has a special interest in sports journalism. She is interning this spring with Washington Gardener. FEBRUARY 2020

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BOOKreviews

Regrow Your Veggies: Growing Vegetables from Roots, Cuttings, and Scraps Authors: Melissa Raupach and Felix Lill Publisher: CompanionHouse Books List Price: $15.99 Order Link: https://amzn.to/31QPYqw Reviewer: Charlotte Parker Dulany For beginners and seasoned gardeners alike, Regrow Your Veggies: Growing Vegetables from Roots, Cuttings, and Scraps is a treasure trove on how you can start your own home garden from, quite literally, scraps. German author Melissa Raupach first began regrowing vegetables when she switched to veganism in 2013 and ever since, has sought to share her knowledge and experience. Raupach centers her efforts on everything green, while taking a comprehensive look at how any one person’s sustainable practices can contribute to a healthier planet. In the age of a drastically changing climate, Raupach states that we can still change consumption behavior to pave the way for future greener generations. The book was written by Raupach with the help of her friend and plant expert, Felix Lill. Like Raupach, Lill is based in Germany. He is the founder of the Plant Buddy, a company that distributes old and rare fruit trees across Europe. The two worked together to inspire people to grow produce from their own produce, in a colorful book we can all learn from. The abundant photographs throughout the book are not only beautiful but 16

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appear refreshingly do-able. Photos of hands potting soil into recycled tomato sauce cans can make you feel like you can do exactly that with those cuttings you just threw in the trash. The book details how plants grow and how to regrow them, as well as how to prevent problems you may run into. Each page presents thorough instructions for how to grow various vegetables and other plants—potatoes, beets, ginger, and pineapple, for example—with ratings for appropriate light, warmth, and humidity necessary to cultivate your plants. There is also an estimation of difficulty, which ranges from “very easy” to “experience or patience needed.” Raupach and Lill created not only an instructional how-to book of procedures to harvest your own vegetables from leftovers, but gave readers a friendly perspective on how anyone can nourish the planet we all call home, and keep our wallets full, too. Charlotte Parker Dulany is a senior multiplatform journalism major graduating from the University of Maryland in May. She is an intern this spring semester with Washington Gardener.

know about the different types of succulents, how to take care of each type, plant ratings of the difficulty of growing each type, and a collection of pictures of the spiny plants. The book is separated into three sections, with the first section breaking down all the varieties of succulent plants. In this section, you can find the main characteristics of the plants, along with their areas of origin. Descriptive and vibrant photos are also included with each description of the plants, giving the reader an idea of what each succulent looks like. The second section of the book focuses on unique cactus species. In this section, the author focuses a lot on the different types of skin on these cacti, and why that makes them so unique. Lastly, the third section discusses how to create arrangements of succulents. The author describes the two main ways to gradually grow succulent plants, and provides advice about how to grow them. I think this book is a great read for adventurous gardeners, looking to take on a new project, perhaps a project outside of their comfort zone. The author, Misa Matsuyama, is a horticulturalist who specializes in succulents. Matsuyama is also a teacher and the author of several additional books about growing and displaying succulents. Emily Coakley is a senior broadcast journalism major, as well as a history minor, at the University of Maryland. She is from Westminster, MD; loves to travel; and has an interest in sports journalism. She is interning this spring with Washington Gardener.

The Gardener’s Guide to Succulents: A Handbook of Over 125 Exquisite Varieties of Succulents and Cacti Author: Misa Matsuyama Publisher: Tuttle Publishing List Price: $16.99 Order Link: https://amzn.to/37rMRGy Reviewer: Emily Coakley The Gardener’s Guide to Succulents is full of everything you’ve ever wanted to

Pruning Simplified: A Step-by-Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs Author: Steven Bradley Publisher: Timber Press List Price: $19.95 Order Link: https://amzn.to/38pQE8V Reviewer: Jim Dronenburg Do not discount this book from the title. It starts out with “Why prune?”— and lists the reasons: limiting plant growth, better looks, flower and fruit quality, rejuvenation. Then it goes into the basic equipment: pruners, loppers,

BOOKreviews

saws, the knife. It also lists gloves, which are invaluable when pruning something like a well-armed rose or the like. Then, the book goes into basic techniques. It is comprehensive here, and makes the very good point that pruning is often done in winter, when you can see what you are doing, but that this is not necessarily the best thing for the plant that you are pruning—or perhaps it will not give you the results you want. Pruning at the wrong time can lose you

a season’s bloom (and fruit); it also can injure the plant. Quite a few things can bleed when pruned at the wrong time— unsightly at best; at worst, dangerous to the plant. What follows next is an alphabetical directory of 68 common shrubs (and one or two trees). For each, there is a two-page spread, with a simplified diagram of the plant’s structure, with little red and (at times) blue bars showing where to make cuts in that structure, depending on what is needed/wanted. Each featured “single plant,” by the way, has a short list of similar/related plants that can be pruned the same way as the plant highlighted. There is a photograph in the upper-left of each left-hand page of what the shrub looks like. Each entry covers the why and the when of pruning. The 68 items were well chosen as backbone plants that most people will have, with a very few forays into things not hardy here. Your reviewer had 47 of the 68. After this, there is a section on pruning larger trees. It deals with scaffold structure, formative pruning, routine pruning, branch removal, and remedial pruning. Other sections deal similarly

with conifers (as a whole), hedges, and climbers. The section about groundcovers is, at first glance, an oxymoron, but it deals with woody things under 18" and spreading. Again, formative, maintenance, remedial. Renovation pruning has a small section of its own—useful for overgrown hedges especially—and there is a section on specialized pruning, which can encourage or inhibit the growth of a single specified bud on the stem. (It isn’t what you think. Read the book.) There is a bit about pleaching, which some people with a bit of space might actually do, and coppicing, which is not too likely unless one is an English forester. Still, it’s a good book for beginners and for non-beginners. Your reviewer certainly got a lot out of it. o Jim Dronenburg is a retired accountant and now gardens full-time in Knoxville, MD.

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 clicking on these book order links.

GARDENps

This is an occasional column in Washington Gardener Magazine featuring photos of pets in gardens. Submit your photos to KathyJentz@gmail.com and use the subject line “Pets in Gardens.” Tell us a bit about the animal and your garden as well.

Angela Napili took this captivating photo of the British Ambassador’s cat, Monty,* in the gardens of the British Ambassador’s residence/British Embassy, Washington, DC. She submitted to the Washington Gardener Magazine 2020 Garden Photo Contest. While it was not among the winners, it is a winner in my heart. Another image that Angela entered did win. She earned First Place in this year’s Garden Views category! *Monty is presumably named after Monty Don O.B.E., the UK’s leading garden writer and broadcaster. The photo was taken with a Nikon D750, lens: 50.0 mm f/1.8 ƒ/5.6, 50.0 mm, 1/400s, 1100 ISO, no flash, on May 11, 2019. o

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WASHINGTON GARDENER

TIPStricks

Tips for Speeding Up Seed Germination

Seeds are not all the same. They don’t look the same and they don’t germinate in the same ways or even in the same timeframe. To break dormancy and germinate, a seed needs moisture combined with temperatures in the correct range to grow. Niki Jabbour of Savvy Gardening shared these seed germination tips for growing All-America Selections (allamericaselections.org). • Warm up the soil Every type of seed has an ideal temperature for germination. Basil seeds, like ‘Dolce Fresca’, for example have an ideal soil temperature of 70F, while tomatoes like it a bit warmer, in the 75 to 90F range. Peas, on the other hand, can be planted outdoors when the soil temperature is just 50F. Being mindful of ideal soil temperatures can help you provide the right growing conditions to coax seeds out of dormancy. Not sure of the recommended soil temperature? Check the seed packet; most offer details about the plant’s specific growing conditions. • Soaking Soaking is an easy way to soften a hard seed coat to spark germination of peas, beans, corn, gourds, squash, and nasturtiums. To soak, fill small dishes with warm water and add the seeds. Be sure to cover the seeds with at least an inch or two of water because they absorb water as they soak and you don’t want them to dry out. Place the seed packet in front of the dish or add a labeled marker so you don’t mix up your varieties. Soak for 4–6 hours or overnight. Plant immediately after soaking. • Lighting Most plants need 16 hours of light per day, which can be impossible to provide if you’re using a windowsill in late winter or early spring. To boost success, many gardeners opt to install grow-lights. Jabbour’s set-up is simple: She uses a 4-foot-long shop light hung on a wooden stand. Each fixture is fitted with a warm and cool fluorescent tube. The fixtures are hung on chains so she can easily move them up as the plants grow. It’s inexpensive and effective. Many other lighting options are available to gardeners from garden supply companies. o 18

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U.S. Postal Service to Issue Wild Orchids Forever Stamp on Feb. 21

Part of the largest family of plants on Earth, orchids grow in many climates and thrive under a variety of conditions. There are more than 30,000 species of wild orchids in the world, with more than 100 species native to North America. Many orchids native to North America are endangered or threatened, making sightings in their natural environment increasingly rare. These striking flowers are native to damp woodlands and numerous organizations across the country are working to preserve their habitats. Orchids also thrive in cultivated gardens or as houseplants. Customers may purchase stamps through the Postal Store at usps.com/ shopstamps. The wild orchids stamps will be issued in booklets of 20 and coils of 3,000 and 10,000. o

Instant Winter Cheer with Pre-Forced Bulbs

Don’t place pre-forced flower bulbs too close to a fruit bowl, since this will accelerate the aging process of the flowers. Did you know that pre-forced flower bulbs don’t even need any potting soil? All the nutrients they need are stored in the flower bulb itself. This means you can simply rinse the soil from the bulb and place it in a vase filled with water. Depending on the temperature in your home, they can keep on blooming for up to three weeks. Pre-forced flower bulbs can easily tolerate a few degrees of frost, so don’t be afraid to place them in a somewhatcolder spot such as a patio or sunroom. More information about flower bulbs is available at www.ilsysays.com. o

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the beauty of wild orchids with stamps of flowers that grow in the United States. The stamp art highlights photos taken by photographer Jim Fowler. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps. Each stamp features a photograph of one of these nine species: Cypripedium californicum, Hexalectris spicata, Cypripedium reginae, Spiranthes odorata, Triphora trianthophoros, Platanthera grandiflora, Cyrtopodium polyphyllum, Calopogon tuberosus, and Platanthera leucophaea. Orchids are beloved by plant experts and casual flower lovers alike for their gorgeous colors, unusual look, and delicate features.

We often long for a glimmer of spring during the winter months, especially when it seems those dark days will never end. Pre-forced flower bulbs will quickly drive those winter blues right out the window. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are available for this in many different varieties. Just like food products and cut flowers, you can buy locally grown preforced bulbs. These flower bulbs are put into pots every fall. They then receive the professional care they require for proper development. As soon as they start to sprout, they are quickly taken to local grocery stores, florists, or garden centers, so you can take them home and enjoy watching them grow and flower.

These tips were compiled by Kathy Jentz, editor of Washington Gardener.

GARDENnews

Quick Links to Washington Gardener Blog Posts • DIY: Valentine Seed Card • Meet the New Spring 2020 Interns • Garden Book Club 2020 Selections See more Washington Gardener blog posts at: WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com o

February-March Garden To-do List

New Plant Spotlight

Sweet potato photos courtesy of Concept Plants.

Treasure Island Sweet Potatoes Treasure Island Sweet Potatoes are a breakthrough in breeding: They are the first edible and ornamental sweet potatoes on the market. Not only are the leaves colorful, they are edible, too. In the fall, you can dig up and enjoy the colorful sweet potatoes. The plants in the Treasure Island series are named after different Polynesian Islands. Each plant hides a “treasure” underneath the soil, and the varieties sport different leaf and root colors. Pictured here is Treasure Island ‘Manihi’ PPAF. It is named after Manihi Island. The deep-purple, maple-leaf foliage alone offers a great reason to grow the plant, but the sweet potatoes’ orange skin and orange fleshy roots create extremely flavorful meals with the enhanced health benefits of beta-carotene-rich flesh. Add its beautiful foliage to dishes for an instant boost of flavor, color, and culinary interest. These selections are from breeding work at the Louisiana State University AgCenter from an original concept development and collaboration work by their partner FitzGerald Nurseries in Ireland. The leaves make highly nutritious additions to salads, stir-fries, or smoothies and offer a great source of vitamin B, beta-carotene, iron, calcium, and protein. The culinary use of sweet potatoes is similar to regular potatoes. o

• Cut some branches (Forsythia, Quince, Bittersweet, Redbud, Willow, etc.) for forcing indoors. • Put out suet for birds. • Keep birdfeeders filled and provide a source of water. • Check outside plants and trees for animal (deer) damage. • Mist indoor plants and set up pebble trays to increase humidity. • Rejuvenate Holly bushes and Boxwood with a hard pruning. • Plan landscape design projects. • Check evergreens for signs of desiccation. • Start seeds of cool-season vegetables and flowers. • Keep ice-melting chemicals away from garden beds. Use coarse sand instead. • Prune any dead or diseased wood off trees and shrubs. • Fertilize trees, shrubs, and evergreens. • Prune roses. • Begin tilling beds (when the earth is dry enough to work, but not muddy) and work in compost. • Plant or transplant trees or shrubs, including berries, roses, and evergreens. • Apply pre-emergent weed control such as corn gluten. • Protect tender plants by covering them with some type of cloth material, if an unusually cold day/night is in the forecast. Be sure to uncover when it warms up. • Weed. • Trim ornamental grasses such as Liriope, Mondo, and Pampas. • Divide overgrown or crowded perennials such as Daylilies and Shasta Daisies. • Scan houseplants for insect activity. • Dust house plants with a slightly damp cloth. • Clear perennial beds of any dead plant parts and debris. • Clean and organize the garden shed. • Clean, sharpen, and oil tools, if not already done last fall. • Walk your yard to check for heaving plants and bulbs, then place them back in the ground as needed. Cover with more mulch to prevent further heaving. • Apply dormant oil spray to ornamentals and fruit trees before dormancy breaks. • Check and tune up power equipment (mowers and trimmers). • Build garden furniture. • Spread new gravel on paths. • Mulch bare areas. • Design new beds and gardens. • Pick up new gardening books and magazines for inspiration. • Start seedlings indoors under grow lights. Some good choices to start early are Peppers, Artichokes, Onions, Beets, Turnips, Cabbage, Kale, and Leeks. • Put up trellises and teepees for Peas and Beans to climb on. • Direct-sow early, cool-season crops as soon as ground soil can be worked. Good choices are Peas, Lettuces, Mustards, Onion sets, Kale, and Cabbages. • Start or turn your compost pile. • Do an annual soil test and amend soils as recommended. • Check for snow damage. Gently brush off snow weight, if you must, but it’s better to let snow melt on its own. o FEBRUARY 2020

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PLANTprofile

Hakone Grass By Kathy Jentz

Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa macra) is a tough, ornamental plant with attractive foliage. It also known as Japanese Forest Grass, after its country of origin. It forms a pretty weeping mound of bright foliage that looks stunning on the edge of a path, as a groundcover, and in containers. The foliage colors range from bright green to variegated gold and white hues. In autumn, the grass even takes on gorgeous coppery shades. This is a true multi-seasonal interest plant. Hakone Grass is adaptable to many garden situations. It prefers moist, shady spots and well-draining soils. It is resistant to disease or pests and is generally low-maintenance. Keep it out of direct afternoon sun, because the leaves can get a bit scorched, and make sure it never totally dries out. Give it a bit of extra mulch in the fall. If it starts looking tattered, you can cut it back in late winter, when the new shoots appear. It slowly spreads by rhizome. After several years, you might want to divide it. The best time to do that is in the spring. The most popular Hakone Grass cultivars are ‘Aureola’ and ‘All Gold’—both are widely available and look terrific combined with other shade-loving plants like Hosta, Toadlily, and Hellebore. Try a Hakone Grass in your garden today—you can grow that! o Kathy Jentz is the editor and founder of the Washington Gardener.

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SPECIALfeature

Seed Exchange Wrap-Up

By Charlotte Parker Dulany Despite the winter chill of the new year, garden enthusiasts from far and wide came together at a Washington Gardener Seed Exchange to plan for their upcoming spring harvest. Although the ground may be too cold and wet to commence the season’s outdoor planting, gardeners are using the winter months to plan their vegetable and flower beds. With six weeks still to go until the official first day of spring, many people start seeds indoors to go out on (or before) the average last spring frost date in our region (April 15). Washington Gardener co-hosted its annual seed exchange with the Fairfax County Park Authority on February 1 at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, VA. Seeds weren’t the only highlights of the day—there were also gardening lectures, expert planting advice, and new friends. Niraj Ray is a returning lecturer who delivered a talk about “Seed Saving 101,” in which he taught attendees about botanical languages, types of seed processing, and the importance of introducing local food systems to urban environments. Ray is the founder and CEO of Cultivate the City (CTC), a social enterprise based in Washington, DC, that is dedicated to increasing the capacity for food production in the city. The organization seeks to educate future generations about sustainable gardening techniques, cultivating community with locally grown food, and nourishing families with four weekly produce pickup spots in DC. Ray’s organization began in April 2015 and by December

2019, it had accumulated 80 members, eight sites, over an acre of total growing space, and four restaurants. Ray introduced listeners to an intriguing plant technique: bonsai chili peppers. Most people treat peppers as an annual, but they are actually perennials that can be grown for multiple years. Growing peppers year-round as bonsai could open up a new world for cultivating garden peppers through pruning and cleaning. This method can also be used for citrus, passion fruit, grapes, and more. (For those who want to learn more, Ray will hold an event with CTC on March 8 to teach the processes of growing bonsai using edible plants.) Washington Gardener columnist Carol Allen was another speaker of the day, who focused her presentation, “The Lost Art of Plant Sharing,” on her area of expertise: tropical plants. These species typically grow naturally in—you guessed it!—tropical environments, but are often cultivated as houseplants, too. “The reason we grow tropicals is because we are tropical,” Allen said. “Our temperature, our comfort ranges, in our homes are tropical.” These plants cohabitate with us in the same temperature parameter indoors, but Allen says the difficulty of growing the species to its genetic potential depends on light availability. In recent years, there has been a large uptick in houseplant popularity. Houseplant sales have increased 50% to $1.7 billion in the last three years, according to the National Gardening Association, and millennials are becoming proud plant parents. Young people are cultivating plants in their homes as

collectibles for more reasons than visual appeal. In Allen’s opinion, as living spaces become smaller and with less ground space, people are craving more signs of vibrant life. The white picket fence and large backyard are increasingly out of reach for many, so young people are taking to greenery to make rentals feel more relaxed and inviting. The rise of young foliage fanatics is also linked to the increasing popularity of wellness and self-care. In addition to restorative practices and detoxes, the “wellness generation” is turning to the physical and mental health benefits of plants, and how to connect to plant energy. This is commonly practiced through the Puakai Model of Healing, which deals in three components: altering your energy environment, connecting with nature, and cleansing your body. “Millennials, in this newer and moresterile environment, are returning to greening up their domiciles as much as they can,” Allen said. DC native Christina Hernandez is a seasoned seed exchanger who enjoys sharing her plants with fellow gardeners. For her, much of the interest of gardening lies in the feeling of fulfillment when watching something grow that you’ve cared for, though she acknowledges that every plant is a trial-anderror experience. Hernandez likes to talk to her plants, too. “I ask them what they need or if I’m feeling a certain type of way, they make me feel better and I tell them that,” she said. Hernandez believes plant décor might be only a passing trend for some, but for others like her, it is a journey to see hard work amount to something. In addition to the assortment of seeds, a raffle offered participants the chance to win prizes such as gardening books and more. Each of the more than 75 attendees left with a goody bag including informational pamphlets, gardening magazines, Corona stainless steel clippers, packets of Bio-tone Starter from Espoma, and starter kits for winter seeds. o Charlotte Parker Dulany is a senior multiplatform journalism major graduating from the University of Maryland in May. She is an intern this spring semester with Washington Gardener. FEBRUARY 2020

WASHINGTON GARDENER

HORThaenings spread out over 1,550 booths, to do business, network, and learn about the latest green industry trends they will see in 2020. “MANTS was a wonderful whirlwind in the best possible way,” said Heather Zindash, CPH, The Soulful Gardener. “This important event provides opportunities to source products and materials, network with industry-related professionals, and maintain and increase business opportunities. Because of MANTS, I have plenty of leads to create a full book of business in 2020 and beyond.” o

APLD Winter Lecture Features Jo Thompson

The local chapter of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) had the pleasure of hosting speaker Jo Thompson at their annual Winter Landscape Design Lecture on Saturday, February 1, at the Silver Spring Civic Building in Silver Spring, MD. Thompson is widely regarded as one of the top garden designers working in Britain today, with projects including small London gardens, larger estates, and multiple award-winning entries at the Chelsea Flower Show. Thompson shared photos of a variety of projects and gave insight into her design process, to include assessing a site and its surroundings, identifying client needs, and completing an installation. She emphasized her philosophy of working with a light touch: influencing a site without imposing a heavy stamp of “Jo Thompson” design. Highlights of her garden examples included favorite planting styles (perhaps her one “signature” element), innovative use of color, clever solutions to challenging site conditions, and her wonderful collaborations with craftspeople (just call the head carpenter at Buckingham Palace!). Thompson’s final slides gave examples of several of her Chelsea Flower Show installations, including a behind-thescenes look at the craziness of the installation, and what happens to the gardens after the show (they’re relocated to a permanent home). Feedback from the lecture was unanimously enthusiastic, with the audience of green industry professionals feeling inspired and ready for spring. Anyone wanting to learn more about the speaker can visit www.jothompson-gardendesign.co.uk, or follow her on Instagram at @jothompsongarden. o

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Hyattsville Horticulture Society Annual Seed Sale

The Hyattsville Horticultural Society held their annual seed sale on Saturday February 8 in the Mary Prangley Room of the Hyattsville Municipal Building in Hyattsville, MD. They raised funds for the club by offering seeds, garden books, tools, and edible treats for sale. o

Kokedama Class at Brookside Gardens

MANTS 2020

The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) celebrated the show’s 50th anniversary at the Baltimore Convention Center from January 8–10, 2020. This milestone year was marked with fun giveaways, a raffle that distributed 80 prizes, and record attendance numbers, the highest in the past 12 years. MANTS 2020 was excited to welcome more than 12,000 total registrants (including exhibitors) through the doors of the Baltimore Convention Center. Attendees from 44 states and 15 countries (including the U.S.) had the opportunity to visit 968 exhibiting companies,

The Kokedama: The Art of Crafting (Living Moss Balls) class at Brookside Gardens on Saturday, January 18, was, once again, sold out with a wait list. Originating in Japan, kokedama are living plant and moss balls. Traditionally displayed sitting on a surface, they also look magical bound up with string and hanging. Similar to bonsai, they are a lovely way to bring a bit of greenery indoors and can live for years with proper care. In this hands-on workshop with instructor Kathy Jentz, students made their own beautiful kokedama and received instruction about care for the moss balls, as well as the history and theories behind the practice. o This issue’s “HortHappenings” were compiled by Kathy Jentz. See more photos from events listed here at the Washington Gardener Facebook Page. Click on the “Photos” tab.

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MARCH/APRIL 2005 • Landscape DIY vs. Pro • Prevent Gardener’s Back • Ladew Topiary Gardens • Cherry Trees

MAY/JUNE 2007 • Roses: Easy Care Tips • Native Roses & Heirloom Roses • Edible Flowers • How to Plant a Bare-root Rose

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) MAY/JUNE 2008 D SOL • Growing Great Tomatoes UT! • Glamorous Gladiolus DO L O !S • Seed-Starting OUT Basics •SFlavorful OLD Fruiting Natives

! OUT

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.

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WASHINGTON GARDENER

FEBRUARY 2020