Washington Gardener September 2019 by Kathy J

SEPTEMBER 2019 VOL. 14 NO. 7

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the magazine for gardening enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlantic region

Plant Profile: Hardy Hibiscus

Ask the Expert Secret Tips for Onion Success Meet Dr. Lea-Cox, Greenroof Farm Expert What To-Do in the Garden This Month DC-MD-VA Gardening Events Calendar

Ornamental Grasses for Dramatic Garden Silhouettes

A Visit to Hampton National Historic Site

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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 240.603.1461 or email KathyJentz@gmail.com for available dates, rates, and topics.

Green Spring Gardens

www.greenspring.org

A “must visit” for everyone in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area. It’s a year-round goldmine of information and inspiration for the home gardener. It’s an outdoor classroom for children and their families to learn about plants and wildlife. It’s also a museum, a national historic site that offers glimpses into a long, rich history with colonial origins. Located at 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA. Information: 703-642-5173.

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

www.sunfarm.com

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INSIDEcontents

FEATURES and COLUMNS

ASKtheexpert 17 Aphis, Dogwoods, Apple Trees BOOKreviews 14-16 Miniature Indoor Gardens, Easy Succulents, Vertical Vegetables, William Morris’s Flowers DAYtrip 18-21 Hampton National Historic Site GARDENpets 9 MowCow’s Tuxedo Kitten HORThappenings 22 Pawpaw Fest, FOBG Plant Sale, Flower Arranging, Tomato Taste NEIGHBORnetwork 6-7 Dr. John Lea-Cox, Green Rooftop Farming Expert NEWPLANTspotlight 11 Sedum ‘Lime Joy’ PLANTprofile 8 Hardy Hibiscus TIPStricks 10

Cure onions by placing them in a warm, well-ventilated area until the necks are thoroughly dry. With warm temperatures, good air circulation, and low humidity, curing should be completed within two weeks after harvest.

Ornamental Grasses, Soil Aggregates, Onion Tips DEPARTMENTS

The four geometric parterre gardens at the Hamption National Historic Site are maintained by the National Park Service. The planting designs are all based on photos from the 1870s.

Hardy Hibiscus plants have to be kept well-watered. They do not tolerate drought and will drop their flower buds if they are waterstressed. They also become susceptible to insects and disease when allowed to dry out.

ADVERTISINGindex BLOGlinks EDITORletter GARDENcontest LOCALevents MONTHLYtasklist NEXTissue READERreactions RESOURCESsources

23 11 4 5 12-13 11 3 5 2

ON THE COVER The Hampton Mansion is considered to be one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the U.S. In our October issue: Cemetery Gardens and much more . . .

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SEPTEMBER 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! Jessica Kranz Taylor Markey Intern Ruth E. Thaler-Carter Proofreader Your editor relaxing on reptilian seating at the Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Summer “Vacation” Memories

My usual summer “vacation” is the week spent attending GardenComm, the garden communicator’s association annual meeting. The location moves around every year and this one was in Salt Lake City, Utah. I had never visited there before, so was happy to experience a different gardening climate and mindset. First impression, everything is on drip-irrigation. From annual containers to fruit trees, everything is connected to a hose. Gardeners are keenly aware of the water they use and that it comes from the mountain snow melt each spring down into the valley. I did not witness one drop being wasted. Second impression, trees are few and far between. That means most of the shade available is humanmade. The gardeners there get really creative with those shade solutions—from bean trellises to sail fabric strung between two poles. I made a point to seek out the shady spots in every garden we visited. The soil is very alkaline. The water is also alkaline and may be high in salts. I witnessed a lot of chlorotic foliage (foliage that looks dull green or yellowish), which is a sign of iron deficiency. Even though the summers there are hot and dry, the plant zone for most of the valley is 5B, due to their cold and snowy winters. All that is to say, I am once again grateful to be a Mid-Atlantic gardener. For all of our gripes, we have it remarkably good here. The meeting was jam-packed with garden talks, garden tours, and networking events. A highlight for me was a side trip to their biggest farmers market for a quick lunch and gift-shopping. One of the market booths was run by the local sheriff’s department and some inmates staffed it, selling their prison-grown produce. They had a little of everything, from cut flowers to root vegetables. It was great to talk to them about their first-time gardening experiences and hands-on learning programs. All skills they can use in the “real world.” The last day of the meeting, I toured some bonus “estate gardens”—on the rich side of town. What a contrast to see gardens with unlimited budgets! Coming home with a brain full of new ideas and inspirations, I find it is always hard to get back into my regular routine and dive into the fall garden chores ahead. 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

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• 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 7 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

August 2019 Issue My favorite article in the August edition was the info on biosolids. The late Frank Gouin, a member of the Annapolis Horticulture Society, was a big fan of Bloom. I’ve used it in containers of summer annuals with good results. I look forward to learning more about it. ~ Lucy Goszkowski, Annapolis, MD My favorite article in the August 2019 issue was the one about having a second season in the edible garden. Extending food production is something many think is complicated and this helped demystify it. ~ Madeline Caliendo, Washington, DC My favorite article in the August issue was about the former chef who now is a suburban farmer. I liked it because it took me back to my childhood in Wisconsin and the 160-acre dairy farm where I grew up tending to the 5-acre vegetable garden we had. When I was 10, that became my 4-H project and Sears sent me 98 tomato plants and I planted every single one. I had more than even the neighbors wanted! ~ Joan Richards, Fairfax, VA When I opened the magazine, I went straight to the article on Echinacea! I only wish it had been a little longer, and included information on protecting your plantings from pests. Several of my new starts had their roots eaten last summer (gophers? voles?) and I would love to know how to protect them. ~ Maureen Wynn, Berwyn Heights, MD My favorite article is Jerusalem Artichokes or sunchokes. I’ve grown them in my yard for four years, and your article taught me more than I knew from growing them. The first year, the flowers bloomed up near my second story windows, so from then on, I’ve pruned them to a more-manageable height. I had an addition built last year where they were planted. Did that kill them? No, they moved (on their own) to the backyard and some simply moved to the front of the new addition. I do enjoy the tubers, didn’t realize they were edible raw as well as cooked. The cooking methods you described gave me more ideas for eating them. ~ Annie Shaw, Greenbelt, MD

READERcontt

Reader Contest

For our September 2019 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away five pairs of passes to the Fall Maryland Home & Garden Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds (prize value: $18). Fall is when we spend more time with friends and family in our homes. With the holidays approaching, it is a great time to update, remodel, redecorate, and landscape your home. This is an opportunity to see hundreds of contractors in one location and purchase handmade crafts and gifts. Sample wine from several of Maryland’s wineries while you browse over 300 exhibits. There is something for everyone, and many exhibitors are offering special show pricing. A special guest is author Boyce Thompson, who will be bringing 10 awesome new cutting-edge products for the high-tech home—including a security drone and weeding robot. Trash or treasure? Bring it in! Dr. Lori, a TV personality; author; and art collectibles, and antiques appraiser with a Ph.D. in art, antiques, and architectural history from Penn State University, will see if something you own is trash or treasure. Get there early to be included in the show. The Fall Maryland Home & Garden Show runs Friday, October 18, through Sunday, October 20. See more details online at www.mdhomeandgarden.com/fall. 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 September 30 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. Please also include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on October 1. o

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. SEPTEMBER 2019

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NEIGHBORnwork

Green Rooftop Farming with Dr. John Lea-Cox By Jessica Kranz After seeing a video posted by the University of Maryland and becoming intrigued by his green rooftop farming research and practices, we tracked down Dr. John Lea-Cox. According to his online biography (https://www.psla. umd.edu/people/dr-john-lea-cox), LeaCox is the state research and extension specialist for the nursery greenhouse industry in Maryland, and also a professor at the University of Maryland. He is an expert in water and nutrient management, with a goal reducing the environmental impacts of our production practices. His interests include general plant physiology, plant—water relations, plant pathology, soilless substrates, water and nutrient modeling, production system dynamics, green roof and urban storm water systems, and wireless sensor networks. Tell us about yourself and your personal background. Where were you born and raised? What made you decide to become a professor and study green roof farming? I was born and raised in Southern Africa, and did my PhD at the University of Florida, studying nitrogen use and movement to groundwater in citrus. After I completed my PhD, I was a National Research Council postdoctoral fellow at NASA—Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where I worked in the Advanced Life Support System group, which did pioneering work on supporting crewed missions to Mars in the 6

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1990s, using microbial and plant-based systems to recycle water and produce food for astronauts. Kinda like Matt Damon did in “The Martian.” In 1996, I took the position of nursery and greenhouse extension specialist at the University of Maryland in College Park. My responsibilities are 25% teaching and 75% research and extension. I teach classes in greenhouse management, substrate, irrigation, and nutrient management, and co-teach a sustainable seminar series for undergraduate students. My primary responsibility is to help commercial nursery and greenhouse growers use water, nutrients, and other resources more efficiently, through research and by helping them implement their water and nutrient management plans, which are required by the State of Maryland. This helps ensure that these agricultural operations manage any runoff from their operations, to help protect the Chesapeake Bay from nutrient pollution. It is through this connection that I and some other colleagues turned our focus to urban stormwater systems; in particular, green roofs starting in about 2008. We have had a number of graduate students in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture study how we can improve the functioning of these biological systems, which are quite effective in reducing the immediate effects of rainfall on urban runoff. Green roofs help reduce the amount of impervious surface in urban areas, and they are especially impor-

tant in cities like Washington, DC, which has a 100-year-old (combined sewer) system. From our research and interest in green roofs, it was a natural “leap” to help commercial urban rooftop farmers like Up Top Acres with their research, needs, and challenges. Their interest is to ensure that they retain the stormwater retention benefits of the modified green roofs they lease, while ensuring that any increased fertility that is added (primarily through organic sources of composted) does not leach nutrients down the drain. Note that just because something like mushroom compost comes from organic sources doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have the potential to pollute the Bay. They are especially high in phosphorus, which is the primary contributor to eutrophication (algal blooms) in freshwater systems like the Bay. Why do you believe that green rooftop farming is more efficient than other forms of farming and gardening? Rooftop farming is not necessarily more efficient than other forms of farming in terms of production, but it does greatly reduce or eliminate food’s carbon footprint, i.e., the energy it takes to transport produce to local markets. Because it also travels less distance to markets, it is much fresher and more nutritious, similar to the food you can buy in many local farmer’s markets. Rooftop farming also adds food production to underused spaces in urban areas, where land is often too expensive to farm, and where leased plots in urban cities are often contaminated by soil-borne pollutants. Why do you believe that it is important to support urban agriculture businesses in the metropolitan area? Many urban districts have underused rooftops but also have under-employed residents. What I like about the urban farming movement is its social mission: to provide people with resources and information about how they can produce good quality food at minimal cost. We have a colleague, Neith Little, the *These responses have been edited for length and clarity.

NEIGHBORnwork Urban Farm Extension coordinator, who is doing great work in Baltimore City and the state. You can find more information about her programs at https:// extension.umd.edu/urbanag.

doing research on improving the stormwater and nutrient retention capacity of their rooftop soil media. You probably saw our recent UM video at https:// youtu.be/J8XjOXjaz00.

What is Up Top Acres? How and when did you get involved? What are you specifically doing or working on with Up Top Acres?

What is a typical workday like for you?

As I mentioned previously, Up Top Acres is a commercial company that has rooftop farms in Washington, DC, and Rockville, MD, that produce fantastic-quality produce, and who sell that produce to local restaurants and through their own Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. You can read more about their operations at https://uptopacres.com/ about-us.html. We got involved with helping Kristof Grina in 2017, helping him with writing his nutrient management plans and

It depends on the day, the time of year, whether I’m teaching, the research projects I am doing, and the people I am trying to help, whether they be students or farmers. The good thing about my job is that there is no “typical” day, but I can tell you it is always interesting, oftentimes challenging, and always a lot of fun! What mistakes and triumphs have you encountered in your work? My greatest triumphs are having students graduate and move on to fulfilling careers, and helping farmers adapt to

challenging situations is always very fulfilling to me. Making mistakes is a part of life, and as long as you learn from them, it’s called experience! What advice would you give to beginner/amateur gardeners in the greater DC area looking to create green rooftop gardens? Consult a professional! Many roofs are not designed to be either green roofs or walked on safely. If you need professional contacts, you can always consult your local extension professional and they will be happy to advise you further. o Jessica Kranz is a senior broadcast journalism major at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is an editorial intern at Washington Gardener this autumn.

Up Top Acres greenroof farm. Photo by John Lea-Cox.

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PLANTprofile

Hardy Hibiscus By Kathy Jentz

Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is also known as the Swamp Rose Mallow and it loves our hot, humid summers. This perennial hibiscus is winter-hardy to Zone 4, while the tropical hibiscus is an annual for those of us in the MidAtlantic. This dramatic flower of mid-summer into early fall is a real stunner in the back of flower borders or as a container plant. The individual flowers can reach 12 inches in diameter and are often referred to as “the size of a dinner plate.” Hardy hibiscus cultivars come in white, red, pink, and bicolor combinations. For best flowering, plant hardy hibiscus in full sun (at least 6 hours). Give it some room, since the plant can grow up to 5 feet wide and high in one season. It likes moist soil, so keep it wellwatered and mulch it with bark chips. Dig in a bit of compost each spring and that is all the fertilizer they require. The hardy hibiscus is susceptible to insect problems such as aphids and Japanese beetles. The best way to prevent this is to keep the plants healthy and never let them get drought-stressed. To prevent it from self-seeding everywhere in your garden, regularly deadhead the spent flowers and cut the whole plant back after a hard frost. Note that any of their seedlings may not bloom in the same color as their parents. If you want more of the same plant, you can propagate them easily from stem cuttings in spring before they start flowering. A few popular hardy hibiscus selections to try are ‘Lord Baltimore’, ‘Peppermint Flare’, and ‘Kopper King’. o Kathy Jentz is the editor and founder of Washington Gardener. 8

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GARDENps

MowCow lawn services (https://mowcow.com/) shared this adorable photo of a sun-bathing tuxedo cat with us. “We got the kittens for Christmas. Rumble (shown here) was adopted from Renae, a warm-hearted grandmother, who fosters cats and kittens in Lynchburg, VA. The energetic kittens live with our family in Nokesville, VA. I’m waiting until they get a bit bigger before allowing them out into the gardens as I’d hate for the coyotes to get interested in them.” o

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! SEPTEMBER 2019

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TIPStricks

Secrets to Successfully Growing Onions

Soil aggregates retained on a 4.75 mm sieve after wetsieving experiment. Photo by Nall Moonilall.

What are Soil Aggregates?

Ornamental grasses in winter. Photo by iVerde.

Ornamental Grasses: Garden Silhouettes

Ornamental grasses are gaining in popularity, with their natural good looks and low-maintenance growth habits, according to Perennial Power (www.perennialpower.eu). The silhouettes created by their stems and plumes add something special to your garden all year long. Late in the fall, non-evergreen grasses turn the color of straw. Their dead stems form stunning silhouettes that sway elegantly in the breeze. You can wait until early March to prune these plants back to a few inches above the ground. Then, in no time at all, they start producing fresh new leaves. The silhouettes of evergreen grasses are no less spectacular. You don’t even have to prune these plants; simply remove any less-attractive leaves as needed. During the winter, the silhouettes of grasses aren’t just beautiful, they also shelter insects and small mammals. Birds nibble seeds from the plumes and use both the stems and leaves to build their nests. Whether your garden has full sun, part-shade, or full shade, there are so many different ornamental grasses that you can always find a suitable variety. Plant them in clusters or use them as specimen plants. Either way, combine them with flowering perennials such as Echincea. They will also thrive in pots to embellish your patio or balcony. o 10

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Soil aggregates play a major role in soil structure formation and soil health, the Soil Science Society of America explained in a recent online post. In agriculture, the stability of aggregates is critical to how well an agroecosystem will function. The pore spaces in soil influence air and water storage, as well as gaseous exchange. They create habitat for soil microorganisms and allow for plant root development and penetration. They also assist in nutrient cycling and transport. Poorly aggregated soils disintegrate easily when exposed to erosive forces. They tend to break down faster, leading to soil degradation. Poor stability can lead to pore spaces being filled in and can ultimately result in the formation of soil crusts. This can lead to reduced infiltration and gaseous exchange. Poorly aggregated soils can reduce crop productivity. Soil management often influences aggregate size, shape, and stability. Favorable practices that promote and maintain greater stability include: • Minimizing soil disturbance, like minimal tillage. This reduces aggregate destruction because they are not physically or mechanically broken apart. • Adding organic matter enhances aggregate strength and stability. • Keeping soil covered is essential to keeping soil intact. Vegetative cover reduces the impact of erosive forces. • Promoting a diverse cropping system. Systems that promote perennial plants or meadows have expansive rooting systems and require no tillage. Promoting this kind of diversity within a system will ensure that soil’s function is not reduced. • Managing for pest control. The choice of plants and how they are managed (e.g., annual vs. perennial, cover crops, rotation) are highly influential. o

According to vegetable gardening expert Barbara Melera at Harvesting-History. com, onions can be planted in the fall for a mid-summer crop or in the spring for a late-autumn or early-winter crop. Onions are one of the most-important home garden crops available for cultivation today. If planted at the proper time of year, they are easy to grow. Onions are classified as long-day, short-day, and mid-day varieties. These classifications refer to the extent of daily sunlight required to make the onion grow into a sizable bulb. Short-day onions require a short winter day, and mid-day onions can tolerate a range of day length. Long-day onions need the long days of summer to produce bulbs. Most home gardeners should choose mid-day onion varieties, but gardeners in our region, who are planting onion sets in the fall, can select short-day or mid-day onions. Onions are sold as seed or sets. Sets are baby onions and give you a head start on the season. For most gardeners, planting sets is easier. If planting seeds, do so as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring for a late-fall crop or early in mid-summer for a spring crop the following year. • Amend the soil where you are planting onions with potash and phosphate (organic sources are available). • Plant sets no more than 2 inches deep with 4–6 inches between sets and 6–8 inches between rows. Mulch with 4 inches of straw (not hay) in the winter. •Add lime to your soil before you plant the sets to maximize sweetness. If you’re growing onions for the first time, start with the yellows. Yellow onions are rarely as sweet as the reds or whites, but they can often last six months (sometimes longer) if stored in a cool, dry area with some air circulation. They are also great for cooking, used fresh or for pickling, and are the most vigorous of the onion varieties. o These tips were compiled by Taylor Markey. She is a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park majoring in multi-platform journalism. She is an editorial intern at Washington Gardener this autumn.

GARDENnews

Quick Links to Washington Gardener Blog Posts • DIY: Painted Allium • Meet the New Interns • Tomato Taste Results • Cool-season Seeds Started See more Washington Gardener blog posts at: WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com o

September-October Garden To-Do List

New Plant Spotlight

Sedum x ‘Lime Joy’ The plant breeders at Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Inc. (www.ntrinsicperennialgardens.com) are excited to announce the introduction of Sedum x ‘Lime Joy’ PPAF. ‘Lime Joy’ has grey-green foliage on exceptionally vigorous plants. By midJuly, the domed lime-green buds form and resemble hydrangea flowers. In September, the flower heads swell to 6 to 8 inch packed domes of pink and magenta bi-color flowers. The strong stems grow to 15 inches tall and take on some red-purple coloration. o

• Keep an eye out for the first frost date. In Zone 6, it is expected between September 30 and October 30. In Zone 7, it is predicted for between October 15 and November 15. • Divide and transplant perennials—in particular, peonies and iris. • Pick apples at a local pick-your-own farm or visit a local farmer’s market. • Pot up rosemary and chives for over-wintering indoors. • Take cuttings from coleus and begonias to propagate and over-winter indoors. • Look out for any poison ivy vines, which will turn crimson in the fall and be easy to distinguish from other vines. • Check your local garden center for end-of-summer bargains. • Put netting over your pond to prevent the accumulation of leaves and debris. • Start feeding birds to get them in the habit for this winter. • Attend a local garden club meeting or plant exchange. • Pick mature tomatoes and peppers to ripen on your window sills. • Turn your compost pile weekly and don’t let it dry out. Work compost into your planting beds. • Remove rotting fruits from fruit trees and compost them. • Plant evergreens for winter interest. • Plant garlic bulbs. • Collect plant seeds for next year’s planting and for trading at the annual Washington Gardener Magazine Seed Exchanges. • Plant hardy mums and fall season annuals. • Fertilize your lawn and re-seed if needed. • Dig up bulbs from your Gladiolus, Canna, Caladiums, and other tender bulbs; cut off foliage; let dry for a week; and store for the winter. • Transplant trees and shrubs. • Harvest your herbs often and keep them trimmed back to encourage leafy growth. • Bring in houseplants if you took them outdoors for the summer. • If your conifers start shedding their needles or your spring bulb foliage starts peeking out of the ground, don’t worry. This is normal for our autumn cycle. • Leave hummingbird feeders out until October 15. • Start bulb plantings of early-spring bloomers at the end of the month. • Watch your pumpkins/squash. Harvest them when their rinds are dull and hard. • Divide ornamental grasses. • Cut herbs and flowers for drying indoors. • Plant strawberries in a site with good drainage for harvest next spring. • Look out for slug eggs grouped under sticks and stones—they are the size of BBs and pale in color. • Plant cover crops in vegetable gardens and annual beds (for example, rye, clover, hairy vetch, and winter peas). • Begin conditioning the Christmas Poinsettias and Christmas cacti to get them ready for the upcoming holiday season. • Bring Amaryllis indoors before a hard freeze. Repot every other year at this time. Store in a cool, dark place and do not water until flower buds or leaves emerge. • Your summer annuals will be reviving, now with cooler temps and some rain. Cut back any ragged growth and give them some fertilizer. They should put on a good show until the first hard frost. o SEPTEMBER 2019

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TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS DC-Area Gardening Calendar ~ Events ~ September 16–October 16, 2019 • Saturday, September 21, 9am–3pm Fall Garden Day: Plant Sale and More Fall is a great time to plant, and Green Spring Gardens is hosting numerous local plant and garden craft vendors to satisfy your gardening needs. A silent auction, bake sale, live music, food, and kids’ activity tent add to the festivities. Come and support one of Virginia’s most-innovative public gardens. Free admission. See www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ parks/green-spring. • Saturday, September 21 The Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello Stop by the Tasting Tent for some exciting and exotic garlic, perennial onion, and shallot varieties, both roasted and raw, from the team at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. There’s only one way to learn which types you prefer ... by tasting them! Nothing says summer like a vineripened tomato. Stop by the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Tastings to also sample the “heirloom tomato classics”—the old-time favorite red, pink, and “black” beefsteak tomatoes (as well as lesser-known family heirlooms). Taste delicious melons, roasted sweet potatoes, fresh ginger, spicy turmeric, and savory peppers. Pick your favorites to grow next season. Purchase allinclusive tickets including parking with continuous shuttles from Piedmont Community College at www.heritageharvestfestival.com. • Saturday, September 21, 4th Annual PawPaw Fest Held at Long Creek Homestead, Frederick, MD. Come join a celebration of all things pawpaw while exploring food forests, fruitful gardens, mushroom growing, a circular strawbale home, and much more. PawPaw Fest tickets: https://mailchi.mp/2b69e5157076/ fall-workshops-2019. • Saturday, September 21, 6–10pm AHS Annual Gala at River Farm Celebrate a “Harvest of Health & Happiness” with a cocktail reception, live music, auctions, and three-course din-

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ner under the event tent overlooking the American Horticultural Society’s gardens. Learn more at https://www. ahsgardening.org/about-river-farm/ events-programs/. • Sunday, September 22, 10:30am—12noon Lecture: Foliage and Focal Points We all have sections of our gardens that we are less than satisfied with, yet understanding what has gone wrong can be frustrating. Instinct sends us shopping for more plants and we typically gravitate toward whatever is blooming that day in the hope that the injection of fresh color will solve the problem. Yet, as we add in these new treasures, the sense of dissatisfaction quickly grows, especially when the flowers finish blooming and we are left with a muddled sea of nondescript leaves. Join author Karen Chapman as she explains the importance of establishing focal points—a key component of good garden design—analyzes three areas where they play an important role. Explore the use of containers, structures, water features, and artistic sculptural elements as focal points and discuss how to frame and enhance these with interesting foliage to create a memorable vignette. With ideas for budgets and gardens of all sizes, you will quickly gain the confidence and knowledge to transform your own landscape into a cohesive series of eye-catching scenes. Held at the U.S. Botanic Garden’s Conservatory Classroom. Free: Pre-registration required at USBG.gov. • Sunday, September 22, 2–3pm 12th Annual DC Plant Swap This free event, hosted by Washington Gardener Magazine, is open to all. Bring and receive free plants to expand your garden. Note the new location this year: U.S. National Arboretum’s M Street parking lot (former State Grove Parking lot). Full event rules and details at https://washingtongardener.blogspot. com/2019/07/12th-annual-dc-plantswap.html or at https://www.facebook. com/events/2342136279361434/.

• Sunday, September 22, 2–4pm Historic Herb Use Learn how early American settlers used herbs for their household needs. Discover herbs that have fallen out of favor, and surprising uses for common plants. We’ll begin in the library with a presentation by Sustainability Matters’ Sari Carp, then visit Blandy’s herb garden for hands-on discussion and harvesting insect-repellent bookmarks from the colonists’ favorite “Bible herb.” We’ll return to the library to enjoy historic herb cookies and the “patriotic tea” drunk by caffeine-deprived Americans in the Boston Tea Party era. Held at the Virginia State Arboretum (Blandy), Boyce, VA. Cost: $20 SM & FOSA Members, $25 others. Register at http:// blandy.virginia.edu/arboretum. • Tuesday, September 24, 6:30—8pm Speaker Series: Brookside Gardens’ 50th Anniversary Stephanie Oberle, director of Brookside Gardens, and Phil Normandy, Brookside’s director of horticulture, will share a fascinating journey into the past 50 years of Brookside Gardens’ history as you explore the stories and changes through an illustrative tour of photos. Based on their combined 60 years of experience at Brookside Gardens, Oberle and Normandy will bring the gardens to life like you have never seen them. This is a unique chance to decipher first-hand the true stories from the lore and fables about the gardens. Held at the Brookside Gardens Visitor Center Auditorium. Free, Register at: https://apm.activecommunities.com/ montgomerycounty/Activity_Search/ speaker-series-brookside-gardens-50thanniversary/66652. • Wednesday, September 25, 7:30pm Made in the Shade Kathy Jentz, editor of Washington Gardener Magazine, will address shade gardening in a talk to the Beltsville Garden Club. She will cover design choices, soil amendments, and proven plant choices, as well as some inventive dry shade space substitutions. Free and open to all. For details, see http://beltsvillegardenclub.org.

TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS DC-Area Gardening Calendar ~ Events ~ September 16–October 16, 2019 • Saturday, September 28, 10—11:30am Designing Beautiful, Functional Landscapes Talk Every landscape serves a function, whether it be entertainment, relaxation, exercise, wildlife conservation, or environmental sustainability. Join Dasha Rosato, Merrifield’s landscape designer, to learn how you can design your space to achieve an aesthetically pleasing landscape with optimal functionality. Held at Merrifield Garden Center, 8132 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA. Free. See details: www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/events/designing-beautifulfunctional-landscapes/. • Saturday, September 28, 9am—2pm Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale See what 12 vendors from Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania are selling in native perennials, shrubs, and trees for sun or shade at the sale at 1701 N. Quaker Ln., Alexandria, VA. Live music will be provided by Jim Sheats. See: https://www.facebook.com/events/167 9788558821500/. • October 3–November 24 Autumn’s Colors Longwood Gardens embraces the harvest season. The miniature Garden Railway delights guests young and old with its fanciful cars and engines, and fountain shows continue daily through October 27, with Illuminated Fountain Performances every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening through October 26. Also in October, Longwood welcomes master artisans from Japan who will create large-scale Ikebana displays, the ancient Japanese art of floral arranging. Chrysanthemum Festival (October 24–November 24) spotlights Longwood’s horticulture expertise in crafting and growing chrysanthemums into extraordinary shapes, some taking as long as 18 months to complete. The highlight of the display is the Thousand Bloom Mum, a single chrysanthemum that boasts more than 1,500 uniform blooms on a single plant. Timed tickets should be purchased in advance. Details at longwoodgardens.org.

• Friday, October 4, 9:30am—1pm HOA and Condo Associations: Sustainable Solutions to Landscaping Headaches In this symposium, you’ll start to develop a plan to upgrade your community’s green infrastructure, learn about the role of native plants in sustainable landscape solutions, and much more. Plant NOVA Natives plans to repeat the symposium multiple times over the next year or two. Held at the Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale campus. Details at www.plantnovanatives.org. • Sunday, October 6, 10am–5pm Takoma Horticultural Club Annual Bulb Sale Fundraiser at the Takoma Park Street Festival Buy your spring-blooming bulbs for planting this fall at this event, held rain or shine. Don’t forget your reusable tote bags to carry your bulbs home. Festival directions and details are at: http:// www.mainstreettakoma.org/featuredevents/takoma-park-festival/ and learn more about the club at: http://takomahort.org/. • Saturday, October 12, 1–4pm Under the Arbor: Chile Pepper Celebration Join members of the Herb Society of America and National Herb Garden staff at the U.S, National Arboretum’s National Herb Garden for a fun—and fiery—look at chile peppers at their finest. Sample select chile peppers straight up (for the courageous) or highlighted in various culinary applications. Chiles can even be used medicinally. This is a drop-in educational program open to the public. Free. See www.usna. usda.gov.

Save These Future Dates • Sunday, October 15, 1–4pm Mushroom ID & Foraging Walk Wondering if you can eat that one? Join in a walk led by William Needham, president of the Washington, DC, Mycological Society, to learn how to identify and forage sustainably for wild mushrooms. Exact location within George Washing-

ton National Forest, Fort Valley, VA, will be announced to participants a few days before the event (once Needham has reconnoitered the terrain), but is likely to be Elizabeth Furnace. The walk will be at a gentle pace and cover up to a few miles. Advance registration is required. Cost: $20 SM Members, $30 others. Register at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/mushroom-idforaging-walk-tickets-69379653411. • Thursday, October 24, 6:30-8pm Fall Garden Book Club Meeting We will discuss The Seed Underground: A Growing Revolution to Save Food by Janisse Ray. Also at this meeting, we will discuss 2020 garden book club choices, so bring your suggestions. Held at Soupergirl, right next to the Takoma Metro stop. RSVP to washingtongard enermagazine@gmail.com or on this event page at https://www.facebook. com/events/656515708188383/. The Washington Gardener Magazine’s Garden Book Club is free and open to all. • Saturday, November 2, 10am Getting Your Garden Ready for Winter Talk by Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine. Held at Brookside Gardens. Fee: $25 and FOBG $22. Register at ActiveMONTGOMERY.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 October 5 for the October 2019 issue, for events taking place after October 15. o

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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. SEPTEMBER 2019

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BOOKreviews

50 Simple Indoor Miniature Gardens: Decorating Your Home with Indoor Plants By Catherine Delvaux Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing List Price: $17.99 Order Link: https://amzn.to/34Ja5YG Reviewer: Taylor Markey School has started back up again, and the stress is starting to sink in. As a college student, it is tough to keep up with all of the schoolwork and other activities that are going on in life. On top of it all, students also have that desire to decorate their dorm rooms to make at least one constant thing in college bright and beautiful. 50 Simple Indoor Miniature Gardens makes doing that 10 times easier. Catherine Delvaux provides a simple text on how to give your home (even if it is just for the school year in my case) a pop of life. She provides easy-to-follow instructions and tips for a trendy form of gardening. She even provides a section about how to get creative with plant containers. In the foreword, Delvaux states the words that almost every college student wants to hear: “simple to create and their upkeep is often minimal.” The plants presented in the book are also easy to find in large garden centers or from local gardeners. The book is broken up into five main sections: The Essentials, Terrariums and Kokedamas, Green Walls, Creative Containers, and Pots and Planters. The Essentials section notes that you do not have to follow the instructions pre14

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cisely, and that it is okay if you cannot find the exact species or variety. This section also provides the basics of how to choose the right plants, pots, tools, soil, and, while including rules and daily care tips. An incredibly helpful tip for those who may live in the city and not get enough light: “Place mirrors around the edges of your windows to reflect more light inside.” (20) Each section following includes easy, numbered steps with a supply list, care tips, and inspiring photos to get you started on the miniature garden of your choosing. The end of the book also includes a plant index, where you can easily look up a plant you might be interested in incorporating into your garden. I would highly recommend this book to beginning gardeners who are looking for easy instructions about how to start their own miniature gardens. This book would also make an excellent gift for anyone who is looking for something new to brighten up their home. o Taylor Markey is a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park majoring in multiplatform journalism. She is an editorial intern at Washington Gardener this autumn.

A Beginner’s Guide to Succulent Gardening: A Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Beautiful & Long-Lasting Succulents By Taku Furuya Publisher: Tuttle Publishing List Price: $14.99 Order Link: https://amzn.to/2O2lInP Reviewer: Jessica Kranz Taku Furuya is an experienced succulent gardener who fell in love with succulents and cacti at an early age. In his new book, A Beginner’s Guide to Succulent Gardening, Furuya explores the types of succulents that develop best in each growing season, and the fundamentals of planting, watering, placing, and transplanting the succulents. The book is divided into three sections to split up the succulent varieties based on their growing periods: Spring/Fall Types, Spring/Summer/Fall Types, and Fall/Winter/Spring Types. Each succulent discussed in the three sections, is accompanied by beautiful images depicting what the specific suc-

culent looks like and step-by-step images showing what soil to use and how to layer it in a pot, transplant it, propagate it, and cut the stem and leaves. Furuya opens up the book by discussing 14 different succulents that grow best in the spring/fall. Examples of these types are Bear’s Paw (Cotyledon tomentosa) and Ruby Necklace (Othonna capensis). The book tells the reader to water one of these succulents twice per month in the first two and a half months of owning it and place the succulent indoors, but in the sun. For the next three and a half months, the owner should water it more often, specifically about three or four days after the soil dries, giving it lots of water at once, either in the morning or evening. The plant should be placed in the sun but sheltered from rain. In these months, the succulent should also be transplanted and propagated. This cycle should be repeated again for the remaining months in the year. When talking about the best succulents that have their growing period in the spring/summer/fall, Furuya mentioned four different types. Examples of these types of succulents are Hime Sasanoyuki (Agave victoriae-reginae) and Shirakaba Kirin (Euphorbia enopla/E. mammillaris variegate). These types of succulents have growing fundamentals similar to the spring/fall types regarding watering and sunlight placement, but they differ because they

BOOKreviews do not have to be transplanted often, only propagated. The last section of succulents that Furuya discusses are the fall/winter/spring types, which go dormant in the summer. The author goes over three types of succulents; examples of these are Shukuten (Conophytum) and Lithops aucampiae. Compared to the other types of succulents, the fundamentals of taking care of these are very different. In the first five months, these plants are watered and placed in sunlight just like the other two types of succulent sections are, but in the following three and a half months, these succulents should not be watered at all, and should be placed in the shade. Owners should follow the same routine as in the first five months for the remainder of the year, and the succulent should be transplanted and propagated during this period. Overall, A Beginner’s Guide to Succulent Gardening provides an abundant amount of information about how to plant and take care of the best succulent for each growing season. This book is a must-read if you are looking into purchasing succulents, or if you are just wondering how to properly take care of them. o Jessica Kranz is a senior broadcast journalism major at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is an editorial intern at Washington Gardener this autumn.

William Morris’s Flowers By Rowan Bain Publisher: Thames & Hudson List Price: $19.95 Order Link: https://amzn.to/2O6mJLC Reviewer: Jim Dronenburg This is not a gardening book. That said, it is a true delight: a compendium of William Morris’s (and the Morris company’s) designs of wallpaper, decorative fabric, stained glass, carpets, and tapestries, in which flowers are the subject. William Morris (1834–1896) and his company were major taste-makers from 1861 into the 20th century. (His daughter May, d. 1938, continued his work as a designer in the company, which continued under the leadership of Henry Dearle, another designer.) It only folded

shade. The most-involved pattern took 34 separate blocks. Understand, this is only a first look for those interested in Morris’s work and products, but it shows you where to go and what to do to learn more. If you don’t care to learn that much more, it is still a stunningly beautiful, small (9" square) coffee-table picture book. Get this book. And lose this review, so if you go broke ordering Morris products, you won’t remember who turned you on to it. o in 1940. Fortunately, the wallpaper firm of Arthur Sanderson and Sons bought the company’s design archive, printing blocks, and wallpaper stock. Under the name Sanderson, they still make the Morris Designs and are worth a Google search. This is primarily a picture book. Each double page has one or two patterns on it, in whatever medium. If this were only a picture book I would still recommend it, but the accompanying text gives details of design and fits each design into a coherent pattern for Morris’s work. The meat of the subject, of course, is Morris’s treatment of flowers. They are never photographic, but always stylized. For the most part, there is a repeating motif of two flowers (often many more), the first large and perhaps in-your-face pushy, with a delicate background twining of something else—often willow leaves and stems. For all of that, Morris’s flowers are two-dimensional; he did not believe in three-dimensional representation on a wall surface. As in all such papers and fabrics, the pattern repeats after x-long. Morris’s early work used vertical, symmetrical repeats, but later switched to a diagonal, twisted-branch sort of repeat. Perhaps the most-fascinating pages in the book are those of original design sheets, where the figures and outline of one repeat of the pattern is shown and the other “repeats” are left blank. The book also comments on the printing processes—the papers (or whatever medium) were printed block by block, each block a different color or

Jim Dronenburg is a retired accountant and now gardens full-time in Knoxville, MD.

Vertical Vegetables: Simple Projects that Deliver More Yield in Less Space By Amy Andrychowicz Publisher: Cool Springs Press List Price: $24.99 Order Link: https://amzn.to/2QcxGOg Reviewer: Erica H. Smith The vegetable gardening equivalent to “eyes bigger than my stomach” is “oh, I thought all those plants would fit in my yard.” We’ve all been there: the squash plant that swallowed everything in its path; the insufficiently caged tomatoes flopping all over; just not enough square footage. Vertical Vegetables wants you to think cubic footage—growing upward, instead of sideways, for more efficient use of space. Trellises, fences, stakes, cages, arbors, stacks of containers: They have other advantages, too. Plants grown up into the air have fewer disease problems, may avoid some animal pests, and are easier to maintain and harvest. Vertical gardens can be pretty, too! This book provides guidance about how to make your garden vertical, and includes detailed construction plans for almost two dozen projects designed for varying skill levels. Each project has a list of supplies and suggests appropriate plants to use. The introductory chapters cover types of supports and materials used, design and placement advice, plants that work best in vertical gardens, and maintenance tips. You’ll need more growing information than provided here to select plants and keep your garden Book Reviews continued on page 16 SEPTEMBER 2019

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BOOKreviews healthy and productive, but that’s not the focus of this book. What’s here will get you started. Both the list of plants and the projects are divided into two basic groups. First there are plants that climb, such as pole beans, peas, cucumbers, and my favorite cucamelon (a.k.a. Mexican sour gherkin or mouse melon), along with tomatoes (which don’t exactly climb, but need support), and the arbors, trellises, and obelisks that work with them. Then there are projects such as living walls and hanging gardens, multi-level planter boxes, and towers of containers, which work for shorter plants such as strawberries, herbs, and greens. What these have in common is the

desire to use space productively; otherwise, they are quite different. You could certainly incorporate both into the same garden space, while remembering that plants grown in small containers—and some of these are pretty small—will need more watering though less weeding, while the reverse is true for plants grown up trellises and planted directly in the ground or in raised beds. I’m not sure about the practicality of all of these projects (mostly those watering issues), but they all look fantastic. The instructions are clear, with drawings and photos as well as text. Most projects do require basic carpentry skills and tools. Looking through the book, you’ll probably come up with

more of your own ideas for using found materials or designing new structures. Think vertical! o Erica H. Smith is a Montgomery County Master Gardener whose volunteer activities include the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden in Derwood, MD, 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. Note: These book reviews include links to Amazon for ordering them. Washington Gardener Magazine may receive a few cents from each order placed after accessing these links.

Love Reading?

These books were reviewed by volunteer members of the Washington Gardener Reader Panel. To join the Washington Gardener Volunteer Reader Panel, please send an email with your name and address to: KathyJentz@gmail.com. We look forward to having you be a vital part of our local publication and its gardening mission. o 16

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KNOWitall tree in my front yard. Colorado blue spruce has always been a favorite of mine, but I see many looking really bad in my neighborhood. They seem to be dying from the bottom up. Should I choose something else to plant in my yard?

by Debra Ricigliano

Help, there are fuzzy, white caterpillars eating the leaves of my red twig dogwood. What are they? Are they going to kill my shrubs? Although they look very much like caterpillars. they are not. Caterpillars are the larvae of butterflies and moths. These are the larval stage of the dogwood sawfly. The adults are small wasps. It is common to find them feeding in groups and they can consume a large amount of leaf material. However, they will not seriously damage your shrubs. After they hatch from eggs laid on the undersides of the leaves, the sawflies are tiny and yellow. As they grow, they become covered with a white, waxy coating. You can hand pick them, drop them into a can of soapy water and discard them. Another option would be to hose them off and let the birds eat them once they drop on the ground.

Colorado Blue Spruce in the Mid-Atlantic

I am looking to plant a large evergreen

Dogwood sawfly photo courtesy of HGIC, Ask an Expert.

Fuzzy Bugs on Dogwoods

Colorado blue spruce are beautiful, but they struggle to survive in our region. They are not well-suited for the heat and humidity of summer and warming temperatures are accelerating their decline. It stresses them, making them susceptible to disease. Like the previously widely planted Leyland cypress, they can look good for multiple years, but do eventually succumb to diseases like Cytospora canker and Rhizosphaeria needle blight. Both diseases can be present at the same time and negatively affect the ornamental value of the tree. Treatment is impractical for residential trees. You should consider an alternative tree.

Aphids on Milkweed

My milkweed is covered in aphids. Will they harm my plants? I guess my treatment options are limited, because I do not want to harm the monarch caterpillars or eggs. Oleander aphids, an alien insect, will attack milkweed. Their feeding activity does weaken the plants. Sometimes beneficial insects like ladybugs will help keep populations down. Don’t fertilize your milkweed because aphids love the lush, green growth that nitrogen produces. Squish the offenders by running your fingers along the infested stems or hose them off with a strong spray of water. As a last resort, selectively spray the infested parts of the plant with horticulture oil or insecticidal soap. Before you spray, look carefully for caterpillars and eggs.

Fruit Drop on Apple Trees My four apple trees are six years old. I thought by now I would be getting a good crop from them, but for the last two years, they bloom okay, then, after

about a month, the trees drop the apples. Then the leaves develop spots on them and fall off, too. I have two ‘Gala’ and two ‘Empire’. What can I do to make my trees more productive? Apple trees have many potential insect and disease problems. Initially, planting disease-resistant cultivars like ‘Redfree’, ‘Liberty’, and ‘Jonafree’ helps to reduce susceptibility to fire blight, rust, and apple scab. Neither of the cultivars you have planted is disease-resistant. To increase the yield, the trees will have to be sprayed on a regular basis next season. There are often multiple causes for the problems you are describing. Some potential reasons for fruit drop are insects like plum curculio and codling moth, disease, growing conditions, and weather. Apple scab and rust are two common diseases that cause leaf drop. Contact us through our Ask an Expert service (http://extension.umd. edu/hgic) and we can assist with the diagnosis and treatment. Digital photos of leaf and fruit symptoms can be included. o Debra Ricigliano is a Certified Professional Horticulturist. She has worked as a horticulture consultant for the University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center since 1997. She is a graduate of the Institute of Applied Agriculture at UMCP. To ask a gardening or pest question, go to http://extension.umd.edu/hgic and click on “Get Help.” Digital photos can be attached.

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Rhizosphaeria symptoms on blue spruce photo courtesy of HGIC, Ask an Expert.

Ask the Expert

DAYtrip

Hampton National Historic Site: A Family of Fortune By Cheval Force Opp

The largest private home in our 1790s American republic sits like a crown jewel on a high hill near Towson, MD. The surrounding estate was originally part of the Northampton land grant given to Col. Henry Darnall, a relative of Lord Baltimore. The colonel’s heirs sold the land in 1749 to tobacco farmer and trader Colonel Charles Ridgely. In 1783, the American Revolution ending, the colonel’s son, Captain Charles Ridgely, broke ground for a summer mansion, determined that “Hampton Hall” reflect his family’s position in fashionable society. The 24,000 square foot Georgian mansion took seven years to complete. The lavish home had more than 25,000 acres bourgeoning with orchards, ironworks, marble quarries, mills, and mercantile interests. The farm produced wheat, corn, beef cattle, dairy products, hogs, and horses, all made possible using the labor of more than 300 enslaved workers. Ridgely enjoyed great fortune, but was, in the end, unfortunate. The captain and his wife, Rebecca Dorsey, 18

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moved into the mansion for Christmas festivities December 1788, but sadly at age 69, the captain died from a stroke June 1790. On Capt. Ridgely’s demise, his nephew, Charles Carnan Ridgely (1760– 1829), became the second master of Hampton and, in 1816, also became the 15th governor of Maryland. His son, John Carnan Ridgely (1790–1867), inherited the mansion and about 4,500 acres.

Expressing Grandeur

In 1828, Eliza Eichelberger Ridgely (1803–1867) married John Carnan Ridgely. In case you are wondering, John and Eliza were not related “Ridgelys”; rather, distant fourth or fifth cousins from different family lines. Well-traveled, talented, and known for her elegance, Eliza was a perfect choice for the third mistress of Hampton. The only daughter of an affluent Baltimore wine merchant, Nicholas Greenbury Ridgely, Eliza attended Miss Lyman’s School, the best and most-exclusive such institution in Philadelphia, study-

ing literature, philosophy, music, Italian, French, natural history, and botany. Eliza poses gracefully in Thomas Sully’s famous 1818 portrait, “Lady with a Harp” on view at the National Gallery of Art. Gazing at the 15-year-old Eliza swathed in a luminescent cream gown, bare-armed, posed mid-pluck on her extravagant European harp, it is easy to imagine her in the same educated social set as the Marquis de Lafayette. After she met Lafayette in 1824, at her father’s Baltimore townhouse, Eliza and Lafayette traded letters for the rest of his life. The Hampton National Historical Site (HNHS) owns one such letter, and others are available at the Maryland Historical Society. Eliza Ridgely, as a member of the American elite, traveled to Europe to buy not only the latest fashions but plants arriving in Europe from global expeditions. Exotic plants were the “bling” of the rich and famous in the 1800s. Flowers enjoyed star status on wallpaper and chintz fabric. Painting flowers on china became a mania. Live flowers adorned hats and cakes. Two

DAYtrip technological advances enabled the introduction of newly discovered plants. The glass “Wardian case” placed on the ship’s sunny deck protected plants from destructive seawater, and ocean-going steamships shortened the plants’ perilous journeys from far-flung lands. Eliza’s training in botany, family resources, and horticultural ambition spurred her to create one of the mostfamous landscapes of her times. A meticulous recordkeeper, her account books and receipts for plants from leading American and European nurserymen document her collections. Gregory Weidman, Hampton NHS curator, mounted a 2009 exhibit “The Romance of Nature: Eliza Ridgely and the Garden” giving us snapshots of Eliza’s horticultural acquisitions. She listed purchasing “42 papers flower seeds” during her first trip to Italy in 1834 by employing a purchasing agent. Her purchasing agent in Paris in the 1830s and early 1840s was Mme. M. Omaley. Eliza would send Omaley lists of seeds that she wanted and Omaley would also send Eliza exotic

bulbs like Mediterranean Sea lily (Pancratium illyricum). (Omaley was her general purchasing agent, not just for items related to the garden.) Rose plants shipped from Europe included several new introductions, such as ‘Jaune Desprez’ and ‘Gloire de Dijon’, which she successfully grew and then exhibited at the Maryland Horticultural Society: “Two very large boquets [sic] of splendid flowers, consisting of tea and china roses, etc.” Favoring camellias, she ordered over a dozen varieties from the Baltimore nurseryman Samuel Feast. Camillia japonica, a flowering shrub introduced from Japan via Europe, was a rarity, introduced to American gardens in the 1820s. Weidman’s research reveals the extensive range of books and periodicals Eliza collected to guide her success. She purchased Bernard McMahon’s American Gardener’s Calendar, then the most-comprehensive gardening books published in the United States in the first half of the 19th century. Other significant publications

she owned included Robert Buist’s The American Flower Garden Directory (1834), William Gilpin’s Landscape Gardening (1832), and John Lindley’s The Theory of Horticulture (1840). By far the most-significant publication and author to influence Eliza’s work at Hampton, however, was The Horticulturalist, the landmark journal edited by America’s leading landscape designer, A. J. Downing.

Falling Gardens Adorned in Tapestries

The Falling Gardens at Hampton have parterres on descending terraces, positioning the garden pattern for viewing like an ornate, multi-colored tapestry. The parterres, from the French meaning “on the ground,” are on view just south of the main house. In Eliza’s time, the formal gardens spread over about an acre of land, including the Great Terrace and four smaller terraces supporting six individual parterre gardens. Her grand displays incorporated tropical plants, perennials, roses, flowering shrubs, trees, path-

A prize Cedar of Lebanon, brought back from the Middle East as a seedling by Eliza Ridgely, is one of the largest in the U.S.

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DAYtrip

Thomas Sully’s famous 1818 portrait, Lady with a Harp. Photo courtesy of the Hampton National Historic Site, National Park Service.

ways, box hedges, and urns. Work on the gardens began during the Hampton Mansion’s construction but they remained undeveloped until the late 1790s and early 1800s. At that time, Charles Carnan Ridgely, the second master of Hampton, laid 10,590 feet of irrigation pipes from a nearby spring to provide water to the mansion and surrounding gardens. Weidman notes from historical records that: “A prominent Baltimore botanist and designer of the time, William Booth, is believed to have laid out the formal gardens around 1799–1801. There was also input from other noted individuals including Philadelphia artist William Russel Booth, who published the first engraving of the mansion in 1808.” Today, the National Park Service maintains four parterres on the first two terraces. The designs are all based on photos from the 1870s. Parterre I replicates the original pattern of c. 1800. It features a geometric pattern outlined in boxwood with white gravel pathways. Parterre II shows the newer fashion of “Victorian carpet bedding” introduced by Eliza in the 1850s. Parterres III and IV typically display roses, a scattering of perennials, and brightly colored annuals. 20

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Brooke Derr, Hampton’s horticulturist for eight years, joined the newly rehabilitated garden in March 2011. For the first four years, she orchestrated planting about 3,000 annuals in two of the parterres. In 2016, funding supported the planting of the third and fourth parterres. With her team of National Park Service staff and volunteers, she cares for each basketball-court-sized parterre, planting just over a half-acre of living, dazzling living tapestries. Every year, the horticultural team plants around 4,000 annuals into designs reminiscent of the 1850s. Historically, seed geraniums would predominate, but Derr has found vinca, salvia, and lantana attract fewer deer. For Parterre II, the legacy pattern consists of coleus, yellow canna, and an eye-catching winter-hardy banana in the center. Peonies line the center aisle. Parterres III and IV have identical plant choices, but different bed designs. Eliza would be pleased to recognize some of her favorites: begonias, peonies, hollyhocks, zebra grass, snowball viburnum, and boxwood in the beds. Planting and caring for the gardens is a challenging effort with stunning results. The ambitious garden team includes NPS landscape staff, volunteers, partnerships, contracted landscape professionals, and, this year, a part-time horticulture apprentice from Baltimore County Community College and the American Landscape Institute. The generous apprentice support, provided by the Federated Garden Clubs, District III, and the Women’s Committee of Historic Hampton, Inc., is an excellent way to honor Eliza’s horticultural heritage.

Built for the Landscapes

Maryland’s climate is not kind to the tender plants Eliza collected, studied, and grew. But her expertise and specialized buildings enabled her to display many exotic species, such as spiraxis and babiana (South Africa) and calceolaria (South America). The Hampton Orangery, constructed around 1824, contained large glass windows to bathe plants in the sunshine and a hypocaust furnace to provide heat through flues running under the floor. The tropical plants and potted

trees, oranges, lemon, and “shaddock” or pomelo trees, were cossetted in the winter, then rolled out in their wheeled pots to decorate the terraces in the summer. The current Orangery, a reconstruction built in the 1970s, functions as meeting rooms and restrooms. Today visitors can view the two greenhouses from Eliza’s era. The stone 1855 Greenhouse #1, with attached seedling and potting bed building, stands in ruins without glass. Greenhouse #2, built around 1840, has replaced glass and a seedling and potting bed building. Heating pipes and the 1853-era boiler for winter warmth are visible. A vinery (long gone), built in 1852, supported growing ‘Black Hamburg’ and the ‘Chasselas Muscat of Alexandria’ wine grapes. The 1830s two-room gardener’s house was enlarged to six rooms in 1855 to attract professional gardeners to Hampton. The house, described in 1857 as “a beautiful Swiss cottage in fine taste” can be seen, but is not open to the public. Weidman’s research gives insight into the sources of the estate’s eclectic mix of mature trees—many of significant size and age: “... surviving documents record extensive purchases of trees for the estate, from both local and outof-town nurseries (one as far distant as Maine) and even from suppliers in England and Scotland. These included numerous evergreens, maples, elms, Graceful marble urns adorn the landscape of Hampton, Eliza may have been inspired by those she saw in gardens during her trips abroad.

DAYtrip and ash, plus more exotic species such as Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani), Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara), and Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana). Hampton’s orchards were also greatly increased in size at this time, with hundreds of fruit trees added. Eliza exhibited three varieties of ‘remarkably fine’ peaches at the Horticultural Society of Maryland in 1839.” Weidman shares the high praise Eliza received both in plant gifts and print. Her horticultural knowledge and accomplishments were held in such high regard that in 1855, an American in Rio de Janeiro sent Eliza a rare Amazonian air plant with instructions for its care. A correspondent for The American Farmer, writing about Hampton in 1854, summed this up in commenting on “…the honored name of Mrs. Ridgely of Hampton. This lady, I am told, is an accomplished florist, and enters with zeal and taste on the culture of the flowering treasures of her extensive gardens.” Only a handful of others in the Baltimore area were given such accolades, and the Hampton estate became nationally renowned “…as expressing more grandeur than anything in America.” Today, visitors explore this 19th-century garden and the period-furnished mansion at their leisure. It is a fascinating glimpse into the “grandeur” of our history. The Hampton Mansion and the Ridgely estate were designated a National Historic Site in 1950—the first site to be selected based on “outstanding merit as an architectural monument.” Visitors are welcome to admire the landscape, but can also walk in and about the garden buildings, two stone horse stables, family cemetery, farm house, slave quarters, dairy, mule barn, longhouse/granary, ash house, wooden log building, and dovecote.

Upcoming Events

Event details are at www.nps.gov/ hamp/planyourvisit/calendar.htm • September 7–October 5; Hampton From “Grandeur” to Green: Life and Landscape Hampton’s landscape tells the story of the many functions of landscaping and the labors used to create landscapes. Join a guided tour of the Hampton gar-

The original orangery had large glass windows to bath plants in sunshine and a hypocaust furnace with flues running under the floor for heat. The orangery was reconstructed in the 1970s.

dens to learn more about the history of the estate’s cultural landscape and its purpose over time. Discover the many functions of the gardens and how the National Park Service preserves the gardens today. • September 8–29; An Authentic American Document: Art and Architecture of Hampton The Hampton mansion boasts a grand 18th-century Georgian design and a collection of paintings that spans the many periods and styles of American artwork. Join a park ranger for a guided tour of the exterior of the mansion and learn more about the art and architecture of Hampton as examples of American grandeur and style.

Plan Your Visit

The Hampton National Historic Site is at 535 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD. The Hampton Historic Site, managed by the National Park Service, is free to the public, with ample free parking, a gift shop, and wheelchair accessibility at the mansion. Visitors can join a guided tour of the mansion, where the original furnishings owned by the Ridgelys (including Eliza Ridgely’s Erard of London harp) may be seen, along with the family’s collection of oil paintings,

silverware, and ceramics comprising some 7,000 objects. In addition to the mansion itself, visitors may view surviving original structures on the grounds built during the 18th to mid-19th century. Self-guided tours of the grounds are encouraged during hours when the park is open to the public. Mansion Tours are available Thursday–Sunday; check www.nps.gov/hamp for details. The interior of the mansion is accessible only through guided tours. There is also a visitor center and museum shop open Thursday–Sunday from 9am–4pm. Restrooms, water fountain, and first aid are available at the visitor center. The park grounds and parking lots are open daily from 8:30am–5pm. Pedestrian access to park grounds is dawn to dusk daily. o Special thanks to Brooke Derr, Hampton horticulturist, and Gregory Weidman, Hampton NHS curator for fascinating details and expert advice, and to the staff at HNHS. Cheval Force Opp is a garden tourist living in Dunn Loring, VA. She shares her home and garden with husband, Dana, and corgi, Marzipan. If you have a garden you think would be a fun visit, contact her at gardentours@gmail.com. SEPTEMBER 2019

WASHINGTON GARDENER

HORThaenings

FOBG Plant Sale

The Friends of Brookside Gardens (FOBG) Annual Plant Sale fundraiser took place on Saturday, September 14, and Sunday, September 15. About 40 to 50 people gathered in line at 8am for the Friends of Brookside Gardens member 10% discount and early admission. Event volunteers estimated about 250 people attended the first day. Tables were set up with plants organized into three categories: shrubs, perennials, and trees. Each plant was chosen specifically for this area and bought from wholesale nurseries as “starts.” The nurseries include North Creek Nurseries, Spring Meadow Nursery Inc., Creek Hill Nursery, Foxborough Nursery, Quality Greenhouses and Perennial Farm Inc., and Susanna Farm Nursery. Friends of Brookside Gardens volunteers helped grow and take care of the plants over the summer and get them ready for the annual sale. Each plant had a laminated sheet with information on what type of plant it was, how tall it gets, and other important information about what it needs to grow properly; when to grow it, and other plant features. Each sheet also included a color, indicating what price the plant was. Prices ranged from $8.50 to $26.50, with some plants having a white marker to indicate that the price was as marked. o

Pawpaw Festival

More than 500 people gathered at the seventh annual Pawpaw Festival at the Meadowside Nature Center on 22

WASHINGTON GARDENER SEPTEMBER 2019

Saturday, September 7. According to the Montgomery Parks Twitter account, this year brought “record crowds.” They were at maximum capacity and sold out of pawpaw trees and fruit early. Park Police stepped in to help manage the amount of people coming in. The festival had something for everyone. Small tents surrounded the field outside the nature center. Guests had the opportunity to play games, get their faces painted, create crafts, buy honey or wood carvings, and learn more about pawpaws. A little bit further past the tent area was a beer garden that provided samples of pawpaw beer from the Checkerspot Brewing Company. Live music by the Flower Hill String Band played throughout the event. El Pollo Submarine also had a food truck stationed outside of the festival, serving subs, tacos, pupusas, and rice bowls. o

Flower Arranging Class

Washington Gardener Magazine’s editor and publisher, Kathy Jentz, held a free Flower Arranging Basics Class, hosted by Knowledge Commons DC, on the afternoon of Sunday, August 18, at the Juanita E. Thornton Library in the Shepherd Park neighborhood of Washington, DC. Jentz discussed the fundamentals of arranging flowers for an audience of 18, providing essential tips such as flower container selection, how to get flowers to last longer, design techniques, and how to stretch your flower budget. Attendees had the choice to either bring their own flowers to create their arrangement or to use the ones provided by Jentz. Once the basics were covered, they were taught the hand-tied method of flower arranging, which prepared them for the hands-on part of the class: creating your own flower arrangement. Each attendee created their own unique flower arrangement and took it home in a small glass jar along with

several tips for keeping it looking vibrant and fresh. o

Tomato Tasting Event

About 250 people attended Washington Gardener Magazine’s 12th Annual Tomato Taste at the FreshFarm Silver Spring Market on Saturday, August 24. Attendees tasted and voted for their favorite tomatoes, with ‘Red Grape’ taking the lead with twice as many votes as ‘Sun Gold’ in second place. ‘Red Grape’ had a total vote of 60 versus ‘Sun Gold’s’ 30 votes. Following the fan favorite and ‘Sun Gold’ were ‘Chocolate Cherry’, ‘Field Red’, ‘Jaune Flamme’, ‘Black Cherry’, and ‘Cherokee Purple’. The following tomatoes had votes in the 20 range, each one separated by just a few votes. The winning tomato, ‘Red Grape’, is firm and a cherry-type that has a bright, clear-red color and a sweet taste. It came in second place in last year’s event, followed by ‘Sun Sugar’. Attendees also had the option to color or draw their own tomatoes and grab free tomato seeds, growing tips, and recipes. At the end of the event, the magazine pulled a name from the tomato taste ballots listing the attendees’ favorite tomatoes. The winner, Heather Dylla, won a gift bag filled with gardening tools, tomatoes, market goods like raw honey, and market money. o This issue’s “HortHappenings” were compiled by Taylor Markey and Jessica Kranz. They are both senior journalism majors at the University of Maryland and editorial interns at Washington Gardener this autumn.

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

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

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

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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

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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)

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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

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Washington Gardener September 2019

Articles inside

Hampton National Historic Site: A Family of Fortune