Washington Gardener February 2019 by Kathy J

FEBRUARY 2019 VOL. 13 NO. 12

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the magazine for gardening enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlantic region

Two New Container-sized Blueberry Plants Little-known Native Lanceleaf Loosestrife

Proven Bug-free Gardening DC-MD-VA Gardening Events Calendar

Are Your Soils Too Salty? Top Tips for Starting Sweet Peppers from Seed

17Award-winning Garden Photos

Your Garden Task List

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. Haven’s Natural Brew Tea conditions the soil so your plant’s root system can better absorb nutrients needed to build a strong, healthy root base. The manure tea can also be applied to compost piles to accelerate the composting process.

Order some today at: www.manuretea.com

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RESOURCESsourc

Need a Garden Club Speaker?

Washington Gardener Magazine’s staff and writers are available to speak to groups and garden clubs in the greater DC region. Call 301.588.6894 or email KathyJentz@gmail.com for available dates, rates, and topics.

RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL PLANTS FOR THE DISCRIMINATING GARDENER AND COLLECTOR Barry Glick Sunshine Farm and Gardens 696 Glicks Road Renick, WV 24966, USA Email: barry@sunfarm.com

www.sunfarm.com ��

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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 FEBRUARY 2019

INSIDEcontents

FEATURES and COLUMNS

This spring, try two new varieties from the Bushel and Berry® collection that are self-pollinating and perfect for warmer climates. Blueberry Buckle™ is a fast-growing blueberry that stays compact with white bell-shaped flowers that appear in spring and produce sweet, dark blueberries. Southern Bluebelle™ will be a charming addition to your patio or landscape. This petite blueberry plant produces plump, juicy blueberries in late summer and displays bright-red emerging foliage that turns emerald-green as it matures.

Blueberry Buckle in a container photo from Bushel and Berry.

Technological developments and innovations are making our world ever-smarter and moving us from one fast lane into another. At these speeds, it’s easy to lose track of ourselves. How can we keep ourselves feeling good and retain that important balance between body and mind? Exactly: by surrounding ourselves with the wonders of nature.

Lilium and calla flowers photo from ibulb.com.

Several of the 2019 Garden Photo Contest winners were present to accept their awards at the Seed Exchange at Green Spring Gardens on February 2. See their winning images in the center spreads of this issue.

BOOKreviews 8-9 Lost Farms and Estates of DC, Ground Rules, Infinite Succulent, Low-Maintenance Vegetable Gardening GOINGnative 20-21 Lanceleaf Loosestrife HORThappenings 22 MANTS 2019, Seed Exchanges, APLD-DC Winter Seminar, NCOS Orchid Show, Kokedama NEWPLANTspotlight 11 Bushel and Berry Blueberries PHILLYflowershow 7 Trip Details and Sign-up Form PHOTOcontestwinners 12-17 2019 Photo Contest Winners PRODUCTreview 6 Proven Bug-free Gardening TIPStricks 10 Flowers in Your Home, Salts in Soils, Sweet Pepper Tips

DEPARTMENTS

ADVERTISINGindex BLOGlinks EDITORletter GARDENcontest LOCALevents MONTHLYtasklist NEXTissue READERreactions RESOURCESsources

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ON THE COVER

The Grand Prize winner of the 2019 Garden Photo Contest. See page 12 for more image details.

In our February issue:

A Visit to Bunny Mellon’s Oak Spring Farm and much more . . .

If your business would like to reach area gardeners, be sure to contact us by February 5 so you can be part of the next issue of our growing publication! Be sure you are subscribed! Click on the “subscribe” link. at washingtongardener.com

FEBRUARY 2019

WASHINGTON GARDENER

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! Johnny Moseman Alexa Silverberg Intern Ruth E. Thaler-Carter Proofreader Cover price: $4.99 Back issues: $6.00 Subscription: $20.00

Your editor in the GardenComm booth at MANTS in Baltimore, MD. Photo by Becky Heath.

Making a Living Without a Job Years ago, I took a adult education class for fun called “Making a Living Without a Job.” Naively, I took the title at face value and thought I’d be retiring at age 30. Ha! The talk was actually eye-opening and many of the speaker’s points have stuck with me over a decade later. The title should have had the word job in quotes. What the class actually addressed was never working in a full-time 9–to–5 career for a boss. Long before the so-called “gig economy” came on the scene, this speaker advocated patching together a living by pursuing several various pastimes. She described writing freelance travel articles, giving talks a few times a week, walking dogs and house-sitting for neighbors, helping out at estate sales, and so on. Certainly, this course of action has its benefits. You are your own boss. You set your own hours and commit yourself to work as little or as much as you like. You diversify your income streams so that if one industry tanks, you are not fully unemployed. The main drawbacks are that self-employed and insurance, taxes, business expenses, supplies, professional memberships, etc., fall squarely on your own shoulders. Without a partner in a full-time steady job for support, most Americans cannot do this. Without any plan to do so, I have somehow followed that exact path the speaker described. While running this magazine was, in theory, my full-time job, it is also just part of what I do to support myself these days. Giving garden talks is a big part of my “side hustle,” as are writing gardening pieces for others, giving garden consultations, providing part-time support for a transit activism nonprofit, social media ghost writing, and more. No two days are ever alike. Even without a “job,” I can say my work life is never boring and I love what I do! Happy gardening,

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

WASHINGTON GARDENER FEBRUARY 2019

• 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: facebook.com/ • 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 13, Number 12 ISSN 1555-8959 © 2019 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.

READERreactions

Our readers share what they are growing from seed this year. I always grow tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and snow peas; plus some flowers. I would grow more if I had more sun. ~ Wendy Bell, Takoma Park, MD This year, I will be growing brassicas, herbs, corn, sunflowers, squash, melons, peppers, tomatoes, and lots of greens from seed in my two (!) community garden plots. ~ Mandy Lee, Washington, DC This year, I plan growing from seed moonflowers, more milkweed, snapdragons, etc. Along with lettuce, radish, peas, cucumbers, etc. I will also grow herbs such as various basils, oregano, thyme, parsley, and cilantro. ~ Kathleen Larson, Oak Hill, VA I will be growing lettuce, chard, spinach, onions, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, squash, beans, and various herbs. ~ Beverly Keane, Alexandria VA What I will be growing from seed in my garden this year: herbs, herbs, herbs. ~ Cindy Haney, Falls Church, VA I will be growing tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, kale, cucumber, and squash from seed this spring/summer. ~ Lisa Lyon, Bethesda, MD

READERcontt

Reader Contest

For our February 2019 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 and Sunday, March 2–3, and Friday, March 8–Sunday, March 10) with 400 contractors and experts to make it all possible. See a spectacular Train Garden created by the Baltimore Area American Flyer Club while colorful butterflies roam the exhibit. 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 WashingtonGardener@rcn.com by 5:00pm on February 28 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 mailing 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

This year, I will be growing from seed at least ‘Heavenly Blue’ morning glories, moonflower, calendula, foxgloves, etc. ~ Kim Kaplan, Silver Spring, MD What will I grow from seed this year? Greens: collards, kale, leaf salad various. Pole beans—this year, I’m moving the pole beans to my front yard, as well as scarlet runner beans. They will run along fences. ~ Annie Shaw, Greenbelt MD I will grow three winter squashes, a blue Russian pumpkin, a French one, and Nanticoke squash that we grew last year. We will grow five tomato varieties in our garden plot and two at home. ‘Golden Jubilee’, ‘Cherokee Purple’, and ‘Celebrity’ are our returning favorites and trying out ‘Cocktail Clementine’. ~ Tatiana Lisle, Springfield, VA o

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. FEBRUARY 2019

WASHINGTON GARDENER

PRODUCTreview

Proven Bug-free Gardening by Louise Clarke

While eagerly awaiting the coming gardening season, I’m not looking forward to the inevitable company of pesky insects. As a professional horticulturist, I spend my workdays outdoors, and cohabit with all manner of bothersome bugs—mosquitoes, ticks, no-see-ums, gnats, and biting flies among them. With our regional trend of warmer, wetter summers, insect populations are poised to proliferate. You probably know that mosquitoes exploit standing water for reproduction. I definitely noticed more of them in my home garden last summer, thanks to lazy neighbors who let water accumulate in old tires, inflatable rafts, flowerpots, and the like. At work, saturated soils held pools of water for several days, month after month, supporting rising mosquito populations. My daily slathering of sunscreen is accompanied by a generous application of insect repellent to my clothing and exposed skin. In my experience, repellents that work best include DEET, the industry standard since its introduction in 1957. DEET-based products are smelly and tacky, and can stain or damage textiles and plastic. Despite that, I need effective, lasting protection from ticks and mosquitoes in the field. Last summer, I was delighted to receive a sample of Proven® Insect Repellent lotion, a broad-spectrum repellent. I immediately put it to the test on myself and willing volunteers. Proven’s active ingredient is Picardin, whose brand name is Saltidin®. Picardin is a synthetic molecule based on the organic compound piperidine, found in black pepper. It has a peppery odor and flavor. Happily, Picardin/ Saltidin is colorless, odorless, nongreasy, and compatible with skin, fabric, and plastics. Since Picardin has been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for commercial use, its label is consistent with pesticide labeling requirements. I found this curious, since Proven merely repels insects—it doesn’t kill them, like DEET. The way Proven works is uncertain, but it is 6

WASHINGTON GARDENER FEBRUARY 2019

thought that it confuses insects’ olfactory (smell) and gustatory (taste) receptors so they don’t recognize people as potential meals. Reading the label tells you to not apply more than twice daily, not to apply under clothing, and to keep from eyes, lips, cuts, wounds, or sunburned skin. Proven has been found safe to use on babies as young as two months, although not on their hands. It has also been deemed safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. While there is little in the scientific literature about use on pets, Proven has been used on dogs, who are susceptible to developing heartworm, a mosquito-borne illness. Proven® has also been approved as safe for use on horses. My empirical field testing last summer, at home and at work, confirmed the efficacy of Proven Insect Repellent. In home gardening, I applied Proven to my exposed left arm, but not my right. I am “lucky” enough to have two mosquito species (at least) in my garden. The introduced Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is a tiny, fast-flying kamikaze, with black-and-white striping. She’s a persistent biter, active in daylight, and difficult to swat. I was repeatedly dive-bombed before I could react. The common house mosquito (Culex pipiens), in contrast, flies almost lazily, and has a whining buzz that is a warning to defend oneself. For the advancement of science, I experienced multiple bites to my right, untreated arm, but none to my left. In gardening sessions lasting up to eight hours, my left arm was continuously protected. I repeated this regimen several times, and I experienced the same result. At work, I enlisted my intern and seasonal employee to apply Proven to all

exposed skin before starting our workday. Working around historic Springfield Mills, which sits picturesquely by the Wissahickon Creek, is typically a buggy affair. Three of us were able to work without insect distraction for hours, in short sleeves in the hot, humid weather, which made us perspire. I find perspiration is usually the factor that diminishes insect repellent efficiency. My coworkers and I liked the absence of the DEET odor, and the way the lotion smoothly covered our skin without being sticky or greasy. We couldn’t vouch for its 14hour protection claim, but it certainly protected us throughout the work day. Proven is available in pump spray bottles as well as the lotion I tested. Odorless as well as scented formulations are available in travel, regular, and family sizes. All contain the active ingredient Picardin 20%. Made in the USA, it has been scientifically tested to prove it works against mosquitoes, lone star ticks, sand flies, black flies, cat fleas, and no-see-ums. Ants, fire ants, gnats, stable flies, cockroaches, and chiggers are also repelled. Nerdy science types can find references and links to academic studies on the Proven website at https://provenrepellent.com. I was skeptical of and pleasantly surprised at how effective Proven Insect Repellent lotion proved to be in my jungle-y work environment. I am a Proven convert and am anticipating a swat-free, itch-free gardening season at home and at work. Bring it on, bugs— I’m ready! o Louise Clarke is a degreed horticulturist employed by the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia, PA, where she tends more than 1,200 woody plants and two green roofs, as well as leading workshops, writing, and lecturing on horticultural topics. As a zonedenial gardener, she tends Halcyon, her lush home garden—a mixture of tender tropicals, bulbs, perennials, unusual annuals, and vines. She rarely has time to admire the garden while seated in her home-made tiki hut.

ON LY 8

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13th Annual Washington Gardener Philadelphia Flower Show Tour Organized by Washington Gardener Magazine Wednesday, March 6, 2019, 10:00AM-10:00PM Leaving and returning from downtown Silver Spring, MD

The Philadelphia Flower Show is the oldest and largest indoor flower show in the world. The theme for 2019, “Flower Power,” will pay tribute to the enormous impact of flowers on our lives. America’s leading floral and garden designers will create stunning landscapes, imaginative gardens, and breathtaking floral displays. Through imaginative exhibits, guests will see ideas like community, healing, peace, transformation, and hope brought to life in surprising, vibrant ways. The Flower Show attracts non-gardeners as well as die-hard green-thumbed people of all ages. First-time and returning riders will enjoy the welcoming, custom details of our coach service. Schedule for the day: • 10:00AM Coach leaves downtown Silver Spring with lunch, games, and DVD viewing en route • 12:45-7:15PM Explore Philadelphia Flower Show ~ dinner on your own • 7:30PM Coach departs Philadelphia Convention Center with snacks, games, and DVD showing onboard • 10:00PM Coach arrives at downtown Silver Spring This tour package includes: 1. Charter Passenger Coach ~ reserved seating, storage under the bus 2. Choice of Gourmet Box Lunch on the way up to the show 3. Snacks for the return trip 4. Suggestions of restaurants near the show for dinner on your own 5. Information package on the show to assist in prioritizing your day 6. Two Garden DVD showings 7. Admission to the show & driver tip 8. Convenient drop-off and pick-up at downtown Silver Spring, MD 9. Lively show and garden discussions led by Washington Gardener’s Kathy Jentz 10. Surprises and prizes.

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To register, please use the form below. (One form per person.) Name _______________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________ Phone number________________________________________________________ Email________________________________________________________________ Name of seatmate(s)___________________________________________________ We will try to seat groups together, but cannot guarantee group seating. Name of group _______________________________________________________

Registration deadline: March 1, 2019

Full refund if canceled by February 7. $40 refunded until February 28. No refunds after March 1.

Questions? Kathy Jentz kathyjentz@gmail.com www.WashingtonGardener.com

Brought to you by:

Code 3/6 Silver Spring

Fee: $100.00 each $95.00 each for Washington Gardener Magazine subscribers

Check/money order #_______ ~ Please make payable to “Washington Gardener” Send this registration form along with your payment to: Washington Gardener, 826 Philadelphia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

If you’ve never been to the Philadelphia Flower Show, this is your opportunity to escape from the last of winter’s cold winds and experience a garden paradise. Walk through floral wonderlands, take notes at one of the many workshops, enjoy new plants on display, and shop the vendors’FEBRUARY tempting of goodies. 2019 array WASHINGTON GARDENER

BOOKreviews

Ground Rules: 100 Easy Lessons for Growing a More Glorious Garden By Kate Frey Publisher: Timber Press List Price: $19.95 Reviewer: Alexa Silverberg Kate Frey is a renowned expert in all things gardening. In this new book, Frey divulges 100 of her best tips on growing the best garden. Rules 1–11 talk about preparing to plant. Focusing on the aesthetic, from picking flower colors to choosing the prettiest plants, nicest containers, and different pathways. Frey says everyone forgets about gray, but choosing silver/ gray plants adds a unique and stunning effect to a garden. Rules 13–29 focus on the plants themselves. Frey says to pay attention to the plants, specific needs. Frey recommends starting small and buying plants from local stores. She says to grow amazing annuals and to learn the secrets of biennials. Frey suggests adding pizzazz to the garden with bright bulbs in the spring and summer. Rules 30–43 focus on the soil. Frey says to make sure you are paying attention to your soil’s specific needs. She also says to embrace mulching, and recognize that not all mulches are the same. Rules 44–52 are all about watering your garden. Frey says to think carefully about how your garden uses water. She says to learn to hydrozone, which is grouping plants together based on their water needs. Frey encourages trying different watering systems, such as drip irrigation. She cites studies that have shown drip irrigation results in 8

WASHINGTON GARDENER FEBRUARY 2019

higher plant yields by as much as 24 percent. She says that no matter which watering system you choose, it is all about timing. You have to be consistent in watering if you want a successful garden. Rules 53–74 all talk about treating your garden. Frey gives tips on trimming your garden, preventing weeds, buying and planting trees, and controlling animals from getting to your garden. Rules 75–89 discuss birds, frogs, bees, and other insects. Frey says to welcome the insects because they use flowers for nutrients. These bugs control pests that can harm your garden. Frey says to provide habitat and water for useful insects. The last 10 rules, 90–100, are about enjoying your garden. Frey says that you must let the flowers lift your spirits. She says to enjoy the flowers’ fragrance and the overall therapeutic aroma from nature. In summation, this book packs a lot of value in a small package and makes a great gift for yourself or a new gardener in your life. o Alexa Silverberg is a senior broadcast journalism major at the University of Maryland and is from Short Hills, NJ. She is an editorial intern at Washington Gardener this spring semester.

want to make fun and innovative crafts that will help make you and your house greener. This book explores different kinds of succulent-based crafts, from pots to magnets to bookmarks. Cohen outlines every step of the way through the process of creating each craft and includes every material needed to make a succulent craft party a success. Cohen opens up this book by describing why succulents are the perfect plants to have around your house and make into crafts. Succulents can be small and almost look like little jewels, Cohen takes you through how to care for your succulents in the best way possible. This coffee-book table also explains how to clip and prepare your succulents when they overgrow their art pieces. This book is also filled with stunning images depicting every step along the way of preparing your succulents in the best way possible. There are few pages that do not have a breath-taking picture of succulents. Photographer Marie Monforte knows exactly how to capture the essence of the beautiful little succulents. Overall, Infinite Succulent, provides a great, in-depth look at how to care for succulents throughout the year. It is a must-read if you have any interest in making your array of succulents the best it can be. o Johnny Moseman is a senior multi-platform journalism major at the University of Maryland from Columbia, MD. He is an editorial intern at Washington Gardener this spring semester.

Infinite Succulent: Miniature Living Art to Keep or Share By Rachael Cohen Publisher: The Countryman Press List Price: $21.95 Reviewer: Johnny Moseman Rachael Cohen’s Infinite Succulent provides a unique and creative take on what to do with succulents when you

Low-Maintenance Vegetable Gardening: Bumper Crops in Minutes a Day Using Raised Beds, Planning, and Plant Selection By Clare Matthews Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing List Price: $19.99 Reviewer: Erica H. Smith Many of us want to grow some of our own food, but find the task of starting and maintaining a vegetable and fruit garden overwhelming. We have busy lives, and very little time to spare. With some upfront effort, however, it is possible to get a food garden going, keep

BOOKreviews

it productive and fairly tidy, and harvest lots of goodies. To make this happen, it’s useful to have a guide to refer to. Since this book is aimed directly at the time-challenged, it’s a good choice. One of the things I like best about this book is its user-friendly organization. Read the introductory material for inspiration and for a quick summary of what’s to come. Then use the “Design, Construction, and Planning” section to map your garden out. Matthews recommends installing raised beds, which are a bit more expensive and time-consuming to put together than growing directly in the ground, but later on will save effort. Don’t forget to include adequate path space between beds, and get your vertical supports in early. Then you can choose your plants. The second section includes entries about vegetables and fruits that are relatively easy to grow, with tips on varieties, spacing and planting, timing of sowing and harvest, maintenance, and potential problems. There are also suggestions for how many plants (or foot of row) you might choose to have, which is especially useful information for new gardeners. The plant list is hardly exhaustive, but it’s a good start. It’s worth noting here that Matthews seems to be gardening in the U.K. This edition does include American terminology for plants, devices, and techniques, and is not too linguistically confusing as long as you’re not worried about what perpetual spinach is (a kind of chard) and can deduce that horticultural fleece is heavy-duty floating row

cover. I highly recommend that you use another source to discover what local pests and diseases are likely to attack your plants. (Your Extension office and Master Gardeners are there to help!) The third section covers maintenance techniques like soil-building, mulching, fertilizing, planting, weeding, watering, etc., and the last section deals with composting, tools, and some ideas for making your garden more attractive and comfortable. The book includes a glossary and an index, as well as a detailed table of contents at the beginning. Overall, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for, or determine that the subject isn’t covered. One book does not have to include every gardening topic; this one makes generally good choices. I always have nitpicks. I wish that the entries on plants included Latin names and indicated what family each plant is in. I wish the author had included some Asian greens in the brassica section, because they’re easy to grow and delicious. The distinction between “animal manures” (include in compost!) and “animal feces” (don’t include in compost!) isn’t specified, although if you’ve read anything else about composting, you’ll know that manure from a cow, chicken, rabbit, horse, etc., is okay, and from a dog, cat, and other random carnivores you may have around isn’t. Little green rectangles throughout claim to cover “The Basics” of a topic and are often simplified to the point of incomprehensibility. Most, if not all, readers would be better off just reading the preceding paragraphs, which are short and to the point with just enough detail. The type is very small—might be harder for older readers. But all of these are minor complaints. This is an easily usable guide for beginning gardeners who want to produce food in a limited number of available hours. The book establishes that theme and sticks to it throughout. You’ll come out of reading it knowing that there is work involved in gardening, but that with planning and information, the task will be possible—and even fun. o Erica H. Smith is a Montgomery County Master Gardener whose volunteer activities include the MG Demonstration Garden,

the Grow It Eat It program, and speaking engagements on food-growing topics. She is the author of several novels; visit her website at ericahsmith.wordpress.com.

Lost Farms and Estates of Washington, D.C. By Kim Prothro Williams Publisher: Arcadia Publishing List Price: $21.99 Reviewer: Kathy Jentz If you ever wondered about the historic evolution of Washington, DC, from rural agriculture fields of tobacco, corn, and cattle to a fully urbanized city, this book is for you. The author includes plenty of vintage photography and drawings, although I wish she had put in many more maps for reference. Many readers may not make the connections between modern locations and the original locations of these historic estates and farmsteads. I was fascinated by tidbits about the first for-profit nurseries in the city, the founding of the Columbian Agricultural Society, and the devastation to local soils by the Civil War troops building the ring of raised forts around the cities. I wanted to hear so much more! In fact, this book is so densely packed that most every sentence could lead to enough material for another several books on related topics. I recommend it as a jumping off point to explore more on your own. o Kathy Jentz is Washington Gardener’s editor. FEBRUARY 2019

WASHINGTON GARDENER

White flowering bulbs photo from ibulb.com.

TIPStricks

Salt (white substance) contaminated soils from a pine-oak woodland in California. Photo credit: Robert Zasoski.

Is Your Garden Soil Salty?

Soil needs different things to thrive. Certain soils need a low-salt diet to survive. Typically, we think of salt as table salt, but Meagan Hynes, a Certified Professional Soil Scientist with Teralytic, explains that salts are made up of many more compounds than just sodium chloride. Hynes says that some salts are nutrients that plants need. These salts are applied as fertilizers in soil to help plants grow. Adding these key nutrients can be helpful as long as they are applied correctly. Fertilizers, both synthetic and organic, can add too much salt to the soil, so it is essential to only apply the appropriate amount of fertilizer for your soil. How else does your soil get too salty? Hynes says that some salts occur naturally in the soil and are slowly replenished. In urban settings, recycled irrigation water may contain higher salt levels. Salt spread on roads and sidewalks to deal with icy conditions also contributes to levels in the soil. Plants have varying salt tolerances and too much salt in your soil can damage your plantings. Look out for these four signs that reveal that your soil has gotten too much salt. 1. Stunted plant size 2. Blue-green tint to leaves 3. Leaf tips appear burned 4. Younger leaves are yellow or wilting despite adequate watering A great way to ensure healthy soil is by submitting a soil sample to a lab for a salinity test. From there, appropriate actions can be taken depending on local conditions. Don’t fear: If all this seems too complicated. Hynes says that an easy way to avoid salt-harmed plants is choosing plants for your yard that can endure a higher salt content, such as daylilies. For more information, visit soilsmatter.wordpress.com. o 10

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8 Reasons Why Flowers in Your Home are Important

According to www.ibulb.org, here are eight reasons why having flowers in your home is beneficial. First, they are guaranteed to cheer you up. Flowers lift our spirits. They put us in a good mood simply by being in a room with their colorful freshness. Second, flowers help relax us. Flowers give us a safe, warm feeling that lets us sit back and relax. It’s only natural that we associate “peace and quiet” with plants and the outdoors. Third, flowers ensure productivity. Having flowers nearby increases our concentration so we can be even more productive. This is especially nice when we have a bit of cleaning to do. Fourth, the fragrance of flowers helps us remember things better. This is fantastic when you think of all the things we shouldn’t forget. Fifth, flowers are a symbol. Flowers have so many associations. Each kind has its own special story. The lily, for example, stands for love and femininity, while the gladiolus symbolizes strength and victory. Sixth, flowers blooming is a beautiful, serene process. Flowers develop and bloom as soon as you put them in a vase. This process is a wonderful reflection of nature that we associate with a feeling of being at peace. Seventh, the smell. What could be better than a natural air freshener? Flowers provide a wide range of scents. While some can be identified by just stepping into a room, the subtle scent of others remains quietly in the background. And, last but not least, flowers are simply too beautiful for words. Every flower has its own special charm for us to enjoy. o

Top Tips for Starting Sweet Peppers Indoors

Sweet peppers are a vegetable best consumed when picked fresh from a garden. Sweet peppers are one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. How does one grow these nutrition powerhouses? Barbara Melera of Harvesting History (harvesting-history.com) explains that in North America, peppers are grown as annuals because they are very sensitive to frost. Pepper plants should be started indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost date. Because peppers germinate slowly, pepper plants should be started with bottom heat applied to the flats. The bottom heat speeds up germination and seems to produce stronger seedlings. When it is time to plant your peppers outside, Melera recommends hardening off the plants for one week by placing them outside during the day and leaving them outside if the nighttime temperatures do not fall below 50 degrees. After one week of hardening off, plants should be transplanted to the garden or a container after all danger of frost has passed. Pepper plants are excellent container plants. Transplants in the garden should be planted 12–18 inches apart in rows 2–3 feet apart. Mix bone meal and compost or dried manure in the planting hole. If the soil is too rich or too much nitrogen fertilizer has been added to the soil, the plant will produce lush green leaves, but few peppers. As plants begin to blossom, dissolve a spoonful of Epsom salts in a spray bottle full of water and spray the leaves. The magnesium in the Epsom salts encourages early and prolific fruit set. Peppers should be harvested when they change color from green to red, yellow, orange, purple, or brown. Once the color change occurs, sweet peppers become sweeter and hot peppers become hotter. The more you pick peppers, the more they will produce. o Alexa Silverberg is a senior broadcast journalism major at the University of Maryland and is from Short Hills, NJ. She is an editorial intern at Washington Gardener this spring semester.

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Quick Links to Washington Gardener Blog Posts

Southern Bluebelle photo courtesy of Bushel and Berry.

New Plant Spotlight

Container Blueberry Plants Bushel and Berry®, based in West Grove, PA, has added two new blueberry varieties to their homegrown berry collection. Bred specifically for home gardeners, these edible berry plants offer year-round beauty and produce delicious full-size fruit. Place them front and center in patio containers or in the landscape for four seasons of color. Blueberry Buckle™ is a quick-growing blueberry that stays compact. White bell-shaped flowers appear in spring and produce sweet, dark blueberries. Its glossy, dark-green foliage resembles boxwood. In the autumn, you can expect the foliage to take on hints of orange and red. This is a low-water, lowchill* variety that is perfect for gardens in warmer climates. Plant in pots or in the landscape. Zone 6–10, 2-3' tall. Southern Bluebelle™ is a petite, lowwater, and low-chill* blueberry plant that displays bright-red emerging foliage that turns emerald-green as it matures. This variety produces plump, juicy blueberries in late summer. Perfect for small gardens or patios in warmer climates. Zone 6–10, 2-3' tall. All Bushel and Berry blueberries are self-pollinating. None require another variety to be planted near by to produce fruit. Grow them in acid soil. (A rhododendron/azalea formulation is perfect.) Incorporate some peat moss around the top of the container if available. Plant them in full sun in a large container (at least 14 inches in diameter) with a drainage hole. Feed in early and late spring with a granular or liquid acid fertilizer. Rhododendron/azalea blends are perfect. Prune once fruiting is complete. Remove canes that have fruited, leaving new canes to fruit the following season. *Low-chill blueberries will thrive in areas where temperatures do not go below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods of time. If you live in a warmer climate, a “low-chill” will grow best for you. For more information, visit www. bushelandberry.com. o

• Three Spring Talks • What Brings You to the Seed Exchange? • Meet the New Spring 2019 Interns See more Washington Gardener blog posts at: WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com o

February-March Garden To-do List

• Cut some branches (Forsythia, Quince, Bittersweet, Redbud, Willow, etc.) for forcing indoors. • Put suet out 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 or night is 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 into 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 2019

WASHINGTON GARDENER

13th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

PHOTOcontt

13TH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST DETAILS

Here are the 17 winners in the Washington Gardener Magazine 13th Annual Photo Contest. Close to 200 photos were submitted in this year’s contest from 24 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 2, at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, VA. Congratulations to the 2019 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 30 through July 30 at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA. Everyone is invited to join us at the Opening Reception, from 2-3:30pm on Sunday, June 30.

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

THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 PRIZE SPONSORS: • Capital Photography Center, LLC • Fiskars Tools • Green Spring Gardens • Washington Photo Safari Additional prizes supplied by Washington Gardener Magazine

WASHINGTON GARDENER FEBRUARY 2019

Grand Prize Winner (on the cover)

Georgette Grossman, Dunn Loring, VA “African Daisy” Location: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA The photographer noted that she “loves the delicate structure and color of this flower.” Taken using a Fuji X-Pro2 camera, with 80 mm lens, at f/2.8, 1/450 sec, ISO 320; tripod, in natural light. She is an amateur photographer with 13 years’ experience.

PHOTOcontt

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 “Tulip Family” Location: Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD Collection of yellow tulips. Taken using a Canon 6D full-frame camera and a Canon 70-300 mm lens with Diffraction Optics and a tripod. He is a professional photographer with 55 years’ experience.

Second Place

Tanya Renne, Washington, DC “Emerson Street Alley” Location: Emerson Street Alley, Washington, DC Milkweed seedpod opening up. Taken using an iPhone 6S in natural lighting, no filters. Tanya is an amateur photographer with 10 years’ experience.

Third Place

Mike Whalen, Fairfax Station, VA “Mennonite Family Garden Visit in Springtime” Location: Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA Visitors are drawn to the Wisteria vine trained on a historic home at Longwood Gardens. Taken with a Sony A7R3; Sony 18-135 mm lens; ISO:250; f/8; 1/250 sec. Mike is an amateur photographer with 13 years’ experience.

FEBRUARY 2019

13th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

Garden Vignettes Category

WASHINGTON GARDENER

13th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

PHOTOcontt

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

First Place

James Corbett, Rockville, MD “Frog on Lily Pad with Reflection in Water” Location: Ladew Topiary Gardens, Monkton, MD Taken using a Canon 5D Mark IV @ f/5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO 100, 100 mm in natural light. He is a professional photographer with five years’ experience.

Second Place

Michael Jourdan, Washington, DC “Gaggle” Location: Constitution Gardens, Washington, DC Geese reflected in the Constitution Gardens pond. Taken with a Sony RX10 superzoom camera, 49.5 mm, late afternoon sun. Michael is an amateur photographer with five years’ experience.

WASHINGTON GARDENER FEBRUARY 2019

Third Place

Angela Napili, Washington, DC “A Squirrel Eats an Orange” Location: Constitution Gardens, Washington, DC Taken using a Sony DSC-RX10M3, ƒ/4.0, 151.1 mm, 1/250, ISO 200 in natural light. Angela is an amateur photographer with 10 years’ experience.

PHOTOcontt

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

First Place

Georgette Grossman, Dunn Loring, VA “Spring Blossoms” Location: Ms. Grossman’s neighborhood Georgette said, “An arborist friend identified these as Cleveland Pear blossoms. The trees line a street in my neighborhood. I enjoy watching them bloom every spring.” Taken using a Fuji X-Pro2 camera with Zeiss Touit 50 mm lens at f/2.8, 1/2200 sec, ISO 200 in natural light. She is also the winner of the Grand Prize this year for her African Daisy photo.

Second Place

Howard Clark, Montgomery Village, MD “Hang in There” Location: Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD Yellow Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis ‘Lutea’). Taken using a Canon 6D full-frame camera and a Canon 70, 300 mm lens with Diffraction Optics and a tripod.. He is a professional photographer with 55 years’ experience.

Third Place

Mar Acevedo, Springfield, VA “Virginia Bluebell“ Location: Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, VA Taken using a Nikon D7100; lens - AF-S Micro Nikkor 85 mm 1:35G; natural lighting. He is an amateur photographer with five years’ experience.

FEBRUARY 2019

13th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

Small Wonders Category

WASHINGTON GARDENER

13th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

PHOTOcontt

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

First Place

Michael Jourdan, Washington, DC “Sunset” Location: Constitution Gardens, Washington, DC Sunset reflected in the water at the Constitution Gardens pond. Taken with a Sony A7rii mirrorless camera, Zeiss Batis 18 mm 2.8 lens, low sun. Michael is an amateur photographer with five years’ experience.

Second Place

Van Pulley, McLean, VA “Chanticleer Spring” Location: Chanticleer Garden, Wayne, PA Taken using an Olympus E-M1 Mark ii. Lens: Olympus 12-100 mm, F4 12 mm; 1/125 sec; f/8.0; ISO 200. He is an amateur photographer with 1.5 years of experience.

Third Place

Ginaelisa Cortez, Washington, DC “Red Leaf” Location: U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC A red leaf sits in the grass on a hill behind the Gotelli Collection, backlit by the sun during golden hour. Taken using a Nikon D3200, AF-S NIKKOR 18-55 mm lens f/6.4. Exposure time 1/125 sec ISO-100, no flash. She is an amateur photographer with 10 years of experience.

WASHINGTON GARDENER FEBRUARY 2019

PHOTOcontt

Chris von Kohn, Washington, DC “Lotus Blossom at its Peak” Location: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Washington, DC Taken using a Canon EOS 7D, Tamron SP 150-600 mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD ISO 400, 329 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec. Chris is an amateur photographer with 10 years of working with macro shots, digital since 2004.

Honorable Mention Garden Vignettes

Teresa K. Hughes, Germantown, MD “Bug and Flowers” Location: Old Lucketts Spring Market, Berryville, VA Vintage VW Beetle used as part of a flea market garden display by a plant vendor. Taken with a Nikon D810 camera, f/8, 50 mm, 1/160, ISO 125. She is an amateur photographer with 10 years’ experience

Honorable Mention Garden Creatures

Mike Whalen, Fairfax Station, VA “Box Turtle Feasting on Mushrooms” Location: Photographer’s home garden in Fairfax Station, VA Taken with a Sony A7R3; Sony 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 lens; ISO:1600; f/5.8; 1/60 sec. Mike is a multiple past award winner in this competition.

Honorable Mention - Small Wonders Chris McClintock, King George, VA “Magnolia Blossom” Location: King George, VA Rain drops on a Magnolia flower. Taken using a Canon PowerShot SX520, ISO 160, f/5.6., 99mm She is an amateur photographer with 60 years’ experience.

FEBRUARY 2019

13th Annual Washington Gardener Magazine Photo Contest Winners

Honorable Mention Garden Views

WASHINGTON GARDENER

TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS DC-Area Gardening Calendar ~ Events ~ February 16 to March 16, 2019 • February February Special at Tudor Place Tudor Place has reduced admission fees for the month of February to honor George Washington. All February tours are just $1. Making advance reservations online is highly recommended, especially for weekends. See details at http://www.tudorplace.org. • Saturday, February 16 to Sunday, April 7, 10am–4pm Sakura Orihon: Diary of a Cherry Blossom Journey On display at the U.S. National Arboretum’s National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, Special Exhibits Wing. As he followed the blossoming cherry trees from south to north in Japan, landscape architect Ron Henderson recorded his experience in folding sketchbooks called orihon. His work celebrates the cherry blossom culture in Japan, highlighting his pilgrimages to visit famous old trees. He also focuses on the horticultural practices that extend the lives of cherry trees in Japan, illustrating pruning techniques, branch crutches, rope tenting, and root grafting. This exhibition of Henderson’s books inspires awe for the trees as well as for the unique manner in which one man documented his journey. • Saturday, February 23, 10am–3pm 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. Rooting DC 2019 will be held at Ron Brown College Preparatory High School in the Deanwood neighborhood of NE, Washington, DC. Details at https://www.rootingdc.org. • Saturday, February 23, 8:30am–2:30pm Montgomery County Master Gardeners 19th Annual Spring Conference If you are looking for some gardening inspiration, check out the MCMG Spring Conference: “Gardening from the Ground Up.” The conference is at the Agricultural History Farm Park/Univer18

WASHINGTON GARDENER FEBRUARY 2019

sity of Maryland Extension Montgomery County Office, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD. Price is $55, or $50 each for groups of two or more registering at the same time. Cost covers coffee and refreshments, bag lunch, presentations, handouts, door prizes, access to speakers, and online reference for presentations. For registration and more information, go to: http://goo. gl/i4nalm. • Sunday, February 24, 1:30–2:30pm Winter Lecture: Uncommon Cut Flower Make the most of your gardening efforts by growing plants that are beautiful outside and inside as fillers and cut flowers. Horticulturalist Karen Rexrode shares some favorite plants that are both beautiful ornamental garden plants and unusual cut flowers. These lovely arrangements exercise your creativity, give you confidence in plant combinations, and allow you to appreciate individual plant details. Cost is $10/person. To register, go to www. fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes and use code 648.997 or call Green Spring Gardens at 703-642-5173. • Sunday, February 24, 1–2pm DIY Mason Jar Terrarium Held at Homestead Gardens, 522 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD. There is a fee and registration is required:. See www.homesteadgardens. com. • Monday, February 25, 8–9:30pm Fragrant Blooming Trees and Shrubs of Spring Talk The event is hosted by the Silver Spring Garden Club and is free and open to all. The speaker is Christopher Lewis, a Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist with an IPM specialist certification. Lewis will discuss many early-spring blooming shrubs, vines, and small trees that have wonderfully scented and attractive blooms. You may want to consider incorporating one or more of these scented blooming plants into your landscape. Held at Brookside Gardens, Visitors Center/ Education Building, 1800 Glenallan

Avenue, Wheaton, MD. Facebook Event page: https://www.facebook.com/ events/646395275777993/. • Tuesday, February 26, 7:30–9pm Invisible Connections: Introduction to Parasitic Plants This meeting of the Maryland Native Plant Society is held at the Kensington Library, Kensington, MD. Speaker: Vanessa Beauchamp, PhD, discusses “parasitic” plants. The program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. For more information on this event, see http://mdflora.org/. • Wednesday, February 27, 7:30pm Beltsville Garden Club “Members Speak” Long-time club members and talented gardeners Lynn Title and Elizabeth Ogden will share some of their gardening journey and knowledge. Held at the James Duckworth School, 11201 Evans Trail, Beltsville, MD. The public is welcome, admission is free. Details at http://beltsvillegardenclub.org/. • Saturday, March 2, 10:30am–12n Mints: Botany, Chemistry, and Uses The mint family enlivens our gardens with distinctive colors and fragrances. These plants spice up cuisines around the world. Come spend an hour with Todd Brethauer, science education volunteer at the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG), to learn what about their botany and chemistry makes them so interesting to our noses and our taste buds. Free: Pre-registration required. See https://www.usbg.gov/. Afterward, visit the It’s Hip to Be Square: The Mint Family exhibit in the USBG Conservatory South Lobby running through November 23. Did you know that coleus, sage, and rosemary are all in the mint family (Lamiaceae)? This plant family contains many culinary herbs. Mint family members are usually aromatic and have square stems and opposite leaves. Most people know about Mentha (peppermint and spearmint) and Salvia (sage) species, but there are more than 230 genera and more than 7,000 species in the mint family. Come explore this beautiful

TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS DC-Area Gardening Calendar ~ Events ~ February 16 to March 16, 2019 exhibit to learn about the interesting plants in this unique family. • Saturday, March 2, 1pm Dependable Plants for Difficult Places Discover the tried-and-true “go-to” plants (trees, shrubs, vines, perennials) for our area as Carol Allen, horticulturist, teacher, ISA Certified Arborist, looks at planting difficult spaces. Free. Registration requested. Held at Behnke Nurseries, 11300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville MD. See: https://behnkes.com. • Sunday, March 3, 1–2pm Plant Picks for Shady Gardens If a shady section of your yard could use a little excitement, join Steve Gable, Merrifield plant specialist, to learn about his tried-and-true shade-loving plant picks. The plants he’ll share thrive without sunlight and will add great color to beds, borders, and even containers. Held at the Merrifield Garden Center’s Fair Oaks location. See details at www. merrifieldgardencenter.com/events/. • Saturday, March 9, 11am–2pm OrKID Days at Longwood Escape to a balmy oasis filled with nearly 5,000 blooming orchids during Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens. OrKID Days are filled with wonder and fun for families. Discover the colors, patterns, and beauty of orchids through art activities and storytelling. Free with gardens admission. Admission is $23 for adults; $20 for seniors (age 62+); $13 for students (ages 5–18 or with valid student ID) and free for ages 4 and under. For more details, visit longwoodgardens.org. • Saturday, March 9, 10am–12n Wintertime Woody Plant Pruning Held at American Horticultural Society River Farm, 7931 E. Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA. Ever wonder when you should prune your roses or boxwood? Come for hands-on training on the how, when, and why to prune hedges, multi-stem shrubs, small trees, and large branches. The results will be healthier and bushier growth, more (or fewer) flowers and fruit, and attractive landscaping. Bring your own tools, and

remember to dress for the weather. Entire class is held outdoors. This class is offered by Extension Master Gardeners. Free. Advance registration required. Details and register at https://mgnv. org/public-education-events/. • Sunday, March 10, 1–3pm Fruit Tree Grafting Learn the magic of grafting and basic fruit tree care from Michael Judd. You will learn the process of re-grafting older trees and techniques to train ornamental and wild trees to bear tasty fruits. At the end, you will have the chance to create your own grafted apple tree to take home. Fee: $15 per participant. Held at 10017 Baltimore National Pike, Myersville, MD. For questions, contact executive director Alecks Ferguson at Silvo Culture@gmail.com or call 301-418-8248. • March 14–24 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) The DCEFF has announced the main slate of films for the 27th annual festival. DCEFF 2019 runs in venues across Washington, DC, and in the suburbs of Maryland. Tickets for this year’s festival will be available to the public soon. See the full schedule at https://dceff.org. • Saturday, March 16, and Sunday, March 17 Friends of Brookside Gardens annual Orchid Show and Sale co-sponsored by the Rock Creek Orchid Club Beautiful and unusual offerings, advice and potting service, materials and merchandise. See details at http://www. friendsofbrooksidegardens.org/.

Spring officially begins with the Spring Equinox on Wednesday, March 20! Save These Future Dates • Saturday, March 30, 8:30am–4pm U.S. National Arboretum’s 33rd Annual Lahr Symposium: Native Plants: Advancing Our Dialogue with Nature Learn to look at cues from nature, whether it is pinpointing the best

grasses and sedges to control stormwater or combining natives to reduce maintenance. Hear about newly discovered native species, visit an Arboretum restoration project, discover how pesky invasives can help produce alluring art, or learn about plants toughing it out in some unexpected places. Registration to open soon. Go to: https://www.usna. usda.gov/visit/events-calendar/. Native Plant Sale in parking lot, open to non-registrants from 9:30am–1pm. •Thursday, April 4, 6:30-8pm Discuss Cultivating Environmental Justice: A Literary History of U.S. Garden Writing with the Garden Book Club We will discuss Cultivating Environmental Justice: A Literary History of U.S. Garden Writing by Robert S. Emmett. Meet at Soupergirl, right next to the Takoma Metro stop. Washington Gardener Magazine’s Garden Book Club is free and open to all. • Saturday, April 6, 2–3:30pm Dealing with Deer and Other Mammals in the Gardens Bambi may be cute, but he would love to make a feast of your garden. Learn proven and humane tactics for gardening with deer, rabbits, rodents, groundhogs, and other creatures that are attracted to both edible and ornamental gardens in this talk by Washington Gardener editor Kathy Jentz. $18/person. Register online at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/ using code 27C.63BB or call Green Spring Gardens at 703-642-5173.

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, contact kathyjentz@gmail.com with “Event” in the subject line. Our next deadline is March 5 for the March 2019 issue, for events taking place after March 16, 2019. o FEBRUARY 2019

WASHINGTON GARDENER

GOINGnative

Lanceleaf Loosestrife: Lysimachia lanceolata var. purpurea

“A Little Known Native Wildflower that Needs to Be Discovered” By Stephanie Cohen

We are prone to repeat the old adage that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. In this case, the opposite is true. This Lysimachia is not a thug nor on any invasive list. It is known as Lysimachia lanceolata var.purpurea or L. lanceolata var. angustifolia. It has lovely nodding flowers, and bees love to pollinate from these flowers, while feeding hanging upside down. Short-tongued bees especially use the pollen to feed their larvae. This native plant grows in partial to full sun. It is only 1 to 2 feet high and the spread is about the same. This slender, upright perennial with its lovely, nodding blossoms tends to form small colonies in meadows or moist woods. It has attractive lance-shaped leaves. The yellow flowers have a star-like shape and an orange throat. It flowers for a month, but has reblooming capacities and when it finishes, it forms sphere-shaped seed capsules. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and it occurs naturally from Canada to Florida and from Wisconsin to Texas. It tolerates sandy, rocky, clay, loam, and compacted soils. Here’s a very important point: Deer don’t eat it! Since it is summer-flowering, it can combine nicely in a bed with Carex crinata, Rudbeckia hirta, and Chelone glabra.

It looks great in wildflower gardens, cottage gardens, and perennial borders. However, because it thrives in mesic loam, it can also survive in moist meadows and the margins of water gardens. By fall, the foliage can turn a nice burgundy color. It is not widely available commercially yet, but some nurseries that specialize in native plants carry it. (See list at right). I’m hoping that the more we gardeners ask for it, the more it will be grown and sold. New Moon Wholesale Nursery in Woodstown, NJ, first brought it to market from a plant that was a selection from Grow Wild Nursery. On a related note, I’d like to recommend that those interested in native plants attend the Native Plants in the Landscape Conference in Millersville, PA, this June 5-8. I hope to see you there! o Stephanie Cohen, “The Perennial Diva,” has received awards from the Philadelphia Horticulture Society, was elected a fellow of the Garden Writer’s of America, and was named a Garden Communicator of the Year by American Nursery and Landscape Association. Cohen founded the aboredum at Temple University and served as the director for five years. She is the author of The Perennial Gardener’s Design Primer and many other well-reviewed garden books.

Lanceleaf Loosestrife Retail/Online Sources • Catskill Native Plant Nursery 607 Samsonville Road Kerhonkson, NY 12446 (Not online.) • Harvey’s Gardens 38 New Bridgeville Road Wrightsville, PA 17368 (Not online.) • Hill House Farm & Nursery 631 Scrabble Road Castleton, VA 22716 (Not online.) • IzelPlants.com 410-989-3721 www.izelplants.com (Online only.) • New Moon Nursery 910 Kings Highway Woodstown, NJ 08098 856-823-5069 www.NewMoonNursery.com (Wholesale.) • The Pollen Nation 342 Marlboro Rd Bridgeton NJ 08302 www.thepollennation.com (Online only.) • Sunshine Farm and Gardens 696 Glicks Road Renick, WV 24966 barry@sunfarm.com 304-497-2208 www.sunfarm.com

Photos courtesy of New Moon Nursery.

WASHINGTON GARDENER FEBRUARY 2019

GOINGnative

FEBRUARY 2019

WASHINGTON GARDENER

HORThaenings Goldner of Woodsteam Orchids, and Ron Burch of Gardens at Post Hill to talk about current trends and cultures in paphiopedilum, phragmipedium, and cypripedium plants. The event also included a unique selection of plants on display.

Seed Exchange MD

Brookside Gardens hosted the 14th annual Washington Gardener Maryland Seed Exchange on Saturday, January 26. Master Gardeners and planting beginners gathered to exchange tips, stories, and seeds. Founder of Cultivate the City Niraj Ray discussed how he started his mission of inspiring healthy and sustainable living by empowering communities with tools for urban agriculture. He discussed his experiences with vertical farming and how it can change urban farming. Owner of Plant Masters Leon Carrier gave his best tips, stories, and things to avoid when growing the best flowers from seeds.

beautiful kokedama. This informative workshop took you step-by-step through the unique process of making and caring for kokedama. This students each made two different kokedama to take home at the workshop’s conclusion.

MANTS 2019

Green Spring Gardens hosted the 14th annual Washington Gardener Virginia Seed Exchange on February 2, where gardeners and farmers from around the state gathered to share their best stories and seeds with others. Marianne Willburn of Small Town Gardener spoke about how to properly start seeds. Willburn discussed when to start seeds, which seeds to start indoors, and how to do it. Debby Ward of Prior Unity Garden talked about picking the best quality of seeds for your garden to ensure healthy growth. She went over her 16 criteria to assist you in making wise seed choices.

The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) took place January 9–11 in the Baltimore Convention Center and celebrated the best attendance in over a decade. MANTS 2019 welcomed more than 11,000 registrants to do business, network, and learn about the latest green industry trends they will see over the next year. Attendees came to the premier green industry marketplace to find plants and nursery stock, landscape and garden items, heavy- and light-duty equipment, tools, furniture, and hundreds of other allied industry products. “I do every show from here to Portland, and this is the Show of Shows—the very best. MANTS has been quite successful for me,” said Brian McCall, sales manager, Bobbex (CT). “I’ve been meeting new customers and writing new business. I’ve been exhibiting for at least 15 years, and I look forward to coming back every year.”

NCOS Orchid Event

Kokedama Class

Seed Exchange VA

The National Capital Orchid Society hosted its 39th Annual Paphiopedilum Forum on Saturday, January 26, at Harlow Hall in Chevy Chase, MD. This event featured internationally-renowned speakers such as Hadley Cash of Marriott Orchids, Bill 22

WASHINGTON GARDENER FEBRUARY 2019

Brookside Gardens and Washington Gardener hosted “Kokedama: The Art of Crafting Living Moss Balls” on January 19. Kathy Jentz provided a hands-on workshop experience that included all the materials needed to make your own

APLD Winter Lecture

The local chapter of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers hosted a Winter Lecture on February 16 that featured a talk by award-winning designer Carrie Preston. More than 100 attendees came to hear Preston discuss Naturalistic Planting Design. She is an American living in the Netherlands, where she is the owner and head designer of Studio TOOP. Preston is widely known for designing beautiful outdoor spaces with a Dutch Wave flair that are truly made for people. o This issue’s “HortHappenings” were compiled by Johnny Moseman, a senior multi-platform journalism major at the University of Maryland from Columbia, MD. He is an editorial intern at Washington Gardener this spring semester.

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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 (Heucheras) 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.

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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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To advertise with us, please contact KathyJentz@gmail.com or call 301.588.6894 today. Next deadline: March 5 FEBRUARY 2019

WASHINGTON GARDENER

Jentz Prints

Antique Botanical Prints for the decorator, collector, connoisseur, and art lover. Jentz Prints can be purchased on most Saturdays at the Eastern Market, and most Sundays at the Georgetown Flea Market.

Antique prints are affordable — most in the $10-$30 range — and they are the perfect gift idea for that plant lover in your life. And don’t forget to buy a few for yourself! For more information, to make a private appointment, or to get a detailed show schedule, please contact Jentz Prints by email at UllrichJ@aol.com. You can also find Jentz Prints on eBay.com under the seller ID: printyman. 24

WASHINGTON GARDENER FEBRUARY 2019

Washington Gardener February 2019

Articles inside

Lanceleaf Loosestrife: A Little Known Native Wildflower that Needs to Be Discovered