Web Resource Guide May-June 2010

SuperUser Account — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:40:43 GMT

Garden Variety, page 12 A Sweet Scent:For four o’clock seeds:Diane’s Flower Seeds, Ogden, UT,www.dianeseeds.comFor four o’clock and stock seeds:Italian Seed & Tool, Tatum, NM, 575-398-6111, www.italianseedandtool.comFor heliotrope seeds:Rich Farm Garden Supply, Winchester, IN, 765-584-2500, www.richfarmgarden.comSelect Seeds, Union, CT, 800-684-0395,www.selectseeds.comFor heliotrope and mignonette seeds:Sand Mountain Herbs, Fyffe, AL, 256-659-2726, www.sandmountainherbs.comGarden Spot:Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, ME, 207-633-4333, www.mainegardens.orgPlant Pick:Bluestone Perennials, Madison, OH, 800-852-5243, www.bluestoneperennials.com.Hydrangeas Plus, Aurora, OR, 866-433-7896, www.hydrangeasplus.comWilkerson Mill Gardens, Palmetto, GA, 770-463-2400, www.hydrangea.comExpert Advice, page 18 Sources for white eggplant:Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Mansfield, MO, 417-924-8917, www.rareseeds.comW. Atlee Burpee & Co., Warminster, PA, 800-333-5808, www.burpee.comPark Seed, Greenwood, SC, 800-213-0076,www.parkseed.comSite Specific, page 22 Resources for Midwest/Mountain:Klehm’s Song Sparrow Farm and Nursery, Avalon, WI, 800-553-3715,www.songsparrow.comTerra Nova Nurseries, Canby, OR,www.terranovanurseries.com. Click on How to Order to find local retailers.Resources for Northeast:Bluestone Perennials, Madison, OH, 800-852-5243, www.bluestoneperennials.comWhite Flower Farm, Litchfield, CT, 800-503-9624, www.whiteflowerfarm.comResources for Southeast:Classy Groundcovers, Blairsville, GA,www.classygroundcovers.comLazy S’s Farm Nursery, Barboursville, VA,www.lazyssfarm.comWayside Gardens, Hodges, SC, 800-213-0379, www.waysidegardens.comResources for Southwest: For Ceratostigma plumbaginoides:Garden Crossings, Zeeland, MI, 616-875-6355, www.gardencrossings.comHigh Country Gardens, Santa Fe, NM, 800-925-9387, www.highcountrygardens.com For Hosta ‘Guacamole’:Made in the Shade Gardens, Olathe, KS, 913-206-6939, www.hostaguy.comRomence Gardens & Greenhouses, Grand Rapids, MI, 888-907-5268,www.romencegardens.comResources for Pacific Northwest:Big Dipper Farm, Black Diamond, WA, 306-886-8253, www.bigdipperfarm.comFor Vaccinium ovatum:Forestfarm, Williams, OR, 541-846-6963,www.forestfarm.comFor Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Fröhnleiten’:Digging Dog Nursery, Albion, CA, 707-937-1130, www.diggingdog.comSix Secrets for a Pet-Friendly Garden, page 28For a list of poisonous plants:American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 888-426-4435,www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/Beautiful Begonias, page 32 To find tuberous begonias, check your local garden center or these mail order nurseries:Blackmore & Langdon, Pensford, Somerset, England, www.blackmore-langdon.comBrent & Becky’s Bulbs, Gloucester, VA, 877-661-2852, www.brentandbeckysbulbs.comThompson & Morgan, Jackson, NJ, 800-274-7333, www.tmseeds.comVan Bourgondien, Virginia Beach, VA, 800-622-9959, www.dutchbulbs.comWhite Flower Farm, Litchfield, CT, 866-259-8404, www.whiteflowerfarm.comGolden State Bulb Growers, 831-728-0500,www.goldenstatedirect.comUp, Up and Away, page 38 To find vegetable seeds and seedlings, check your local garden center or these mailorder sources:Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Winslow, ME, 877-564-6697, www.johnnyseeds.comTerritorial Seed Co., Cottage Grove, OR, 800-626-0866, www.territorialseed.comTomato Growers Supply Co., Fort Myers, FL, 888-478-7333, www.tomatogrowers.comW. Atlee Burpee & Co., Warminster, PA, 800-333-5808, www.burpee.comBackyard Wildlife, page 52 For native vines:Lazy S’s Farm Nursery, Barboursville, VA,www.lazyssfarm.comShooting Star Nursery, Georgetown, KY, 502-867-7979, www.shootingstarnursery.comSunlight Gardens, Andersonville, TN, 800-272-7396, www.sunlightgardens.comADVERTISER WEB SITES Bonnie Plantswww.bonnieplants.com Boreal Healthwww.BioptimaxAcai.com Bradford Exchangewww.bradfordexchange.com/84281 Coronawww.coronaclipper.com DR Dump-Pro Truck Insertwww.DRdumppro.com DR Roto-Hog Power Tillerwww.DRrototiller.com DR Stump Grinderwww.DRstumpgrinder.com DR Towable Backhoewww.DRbackhoe.com Encore Azaleawww.encoreazalea.com Endless Summer Collectionwww.EndlessSummerBlooms.com Fiskarswww.fiskars.com Forever & Ever Hydrangeawww.foreverhydrangea.com Gorilla Gluewww.GorillaTough.com Mantiswww.mantis.com/ght Miracle-Earwww.miracle-ear.com Off! Clip-Onwww.off.com Osmocotewww.PlantersPlace.com Proven Winnerswww.provenwinners.com PS Family Healthcarewww.psfamilycare.com SunPorchwww.sun-porch.com Sunsetterwww.sunsetter.com Sunward Solar Hot Water Systemwww.SunwardWater.com ThermaCELLwww.thermacell.com/lanterngiveaway Vitamin Institutewww.superthrive.com WeedGuard Pluswww.weedguardplus.com Windex Outdoor All-In-Onewww.WindexOutdoor.com Wingscapeswww.wingscapes.com Woodstream Top Fill Hummingbird Feederwww.topfillfeeders.com/GHT

Photo Contest 2010

SuperUser Account — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:13:00 GMT

Enter the seventh annual National Home Gardening Club photo contest! We’re looking for your best garden photos: plant portraits, borders and beds, garden structures and ornaments, and other favorite scenes from your garden. Photos will be judged on composition, sharpness and focus, unusual and creative perspective, interesting subject matter, and appealing color and texture. 2009 Winner: "Bee on Aster" by Life Member Connie Willmon; Oregon City, OR Here's what you could win: First Prize: Padded sling double glider from Mallin. Value: $1225 Second Prize: Propane-powered Eco-Trimmer from Lehr Inc. Value: $200 Third Prize: 30-inch self-watering planter from Lechuza. Value: $125 Honorable Mention: Patio lantern and handheld appliance from ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent. Value: $58 Submissions • Send no more than three photos per member. • We accept color slides (original 35 mm or larger), high-quality prints, and digital images. • With each print, slide, or digital image, please include your name, address, daytime phone number, and member number. Describe the people in the photo (if any) and their relationship to you, and provide common and botanical names (if known) for all plants. Please label each slide or print clearly; do not tape them together. • Photos must be of your own garden (not public parks or gardens) and must be taken by you. • Send entries, postmarked or e-mailed on or before July 1, 2010, to: National Home Gardening Club Garden Photo Contest 12301 Whitewater Dr. Minnetonka, MN 55343-2138 To submit digital photos, go to www.gardeningclub.com/photoentry and follow the instructions. • We regret that we cannot return any materials or acknowledge receipt of entries. Guidelines for digital photos • Guidelines for digital photos • Digital photos must be shot at the highest resolution possible, using a 2.5 megapixel camera or higher, and formatted as a JPEG. • If you print out digital photos, use high-quality photographic paper. Print photo 5 by 7 inches or larger. • If you send a CD, please label CD and case. • Do not send digitally compressed or “zipped” photos. • Do not e-mail photos. To submit digital photos, go to www.gardeningclub.com/photoentry. Photo guidelines and tips • Gardens photograph best in early morning, late afternoon, or on hazy days. Avoid shooting in bright sunlight. • Use a tripod for sharp focus. • Don’t include distracting elements, such as stray garden hoses or garbage cans, in the photograph. • Don’t use special effects or shapes in cropping, and make sure your camera’s time/date stamp is turned off. Official Rules Open to members of the National Home Gardening Club (NHGC). No additional purchase is necessary. Employees of NHGC, Mallin, Lehr, Inc., Lechuza, ThermaCell, their affiliates, subsidiaries, agencies, and suppliers and the families of each are not eligible. Void in PR, Quebec, and where prohibited by law. Entries must be postmarked or e-mailed on or before 7/1/10. No responsibility is assumed for lost, late, damaged, illegible, postage-due, or misdirected entries. All photos become the property of NHGC and will not be returned or acknowledged. Photos will be judged on composition, sharpness and focus, unusual and creative perspective, interesting subject matter, and color and texture. The judges reserve the right to adjust and modify photos prior to publication. NHGC judges' decisions concerning all matters related to this contest are final. Winners will be selected on or about 8/2/10. Winners will be notified by mail on or about 8/6/10. Winners will be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility, liability release, and publicity release. Submission of an entry and/or acceptance of a prize grants NHGC the exclusive, perpetual right to publish, use, edit, adapt, modify, and/or copy the entry for any and all purposes in any and all media currently in existence or hereafter invented without further compensation to entrant/winner. All taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner. Winner releases NHGC and sponsors from any liability arising out of participation in this contest. Winner grants to NHGC the right to use his/her name, photograph, likeness, and biographical information in advertising and promotion without compensation or permission except in TN or where prohibited by law. Winners' names and photos will be published in Gardening How-To magazine at the NHGC's sole discretion. For a list of the winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Garden Photo Contest at address listed above by 12/31/10. </

New Varieties 2010

SuperUser Account — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:31:00 GMT

In the February 2010 issue of Gardening How-To, we gave you a sneak preview of the year’s best new plants. Here’s a larger list of recent introductions. Try a few in your garden this year! (If you’re searching for more information and don’t find a particular plant on the Web site we’ve given, don’t despair: Some varieties are so new they’re not even listed in catalogs yet. Check again in a few months.) Roses Rosa ‘Ausbreeze’ Wisely 2008 Best Rose for Landscaping 2009 at Concurs Internacional de Roses in Barcelona, Spain. Soft pink petals are shallowly cupped, forming a delicately beautiful rosette. The fruity fragrance of Wisely 2008 is reminiscent of raspberries and tea. This shrub rose grows to 5 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9. Source: David Austin Roses, 800-328-8893, www.davidaustinroses.com. Rosa ‘Baiage’ Como Park An ideal choice for beginning gardeners, this easy-to-grow shrub rose is packed with bright red double blooms. Disease-free foliage also offers hints of red. Named for a historic park in St. Paul, Minn., this hardy beauty is part of the Easy Elegance series and grows 30 inches tall. Zones 4 to 7. Source: See store locator at www.baileynurseries.com Rosa ‘Meisweetdom’ Sweet Drift Abundant soft-pink double flowers top the glossy green foliage of this disease-resistant rose. Like other roses in the Drift series, this is a cross between full-size ground cover roses and miniatures, making it a superior choice for borders and planters. Grows to 18 inches tall. Zones 5 to 9. Source: See store locator at www.conrad-pyle.com. Rosa ‘Radcancan’ Cancan Cancan, a hardy climber from Bill Radler, breeder of the popular ‘Knock Out’ rose, offers up captivating semi-double blooms with creamy white centers and petal colors ranging from deep magenta-red to light pink. Hardy and disease resistant. Grown on its own root. Zones 5 to 9. Source: Jung Seed Company, 800-297-3123, www.jungseed.com. Rosa ‘Witharoma’ Secret’s Out! Unlike the original ‘Secret’ rose, this hybrid tea offers no hint of pink on its snow-white petals. Hardy and disease resistant, this fragrant rose makes a stunning addition to beds and bouquets. Grows to 36 to 48 inches tall with flowers 4 to 6 inches across. Zones 6 to 9. Source: Edmund’s Roses, www.edmundsroses.com. Perennials Euphorbia x martinii ‘Ascot Rainbow’ Selected by an Australian hybridizer for its variegated foliage and flowers (technically, bracts), ‘Ascot Rainbow’ grows 20 inches tall with a similar spread. Gray-green foliage with a yellow edge and center vein is at times brushed with hints of red or pink. Clusters of variegated bracts in shades of cream, lime, and green appear in spring. Zones 5 to 9. Source: Local garden centers; see retail locator at www.perennialresource.com. Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Mesa’ Mesa Yellow This long-lasting, drought-tolerant blanket flower in great in containers or gardens beds. Golden yellow flowers on 16- to 18-inch stems attract bees and butterflies starting in early spring. All-America Selections winner for 2010. Zones 5 to 9. Source: See store locator at www.ballhort.com. Lavandula angustifolia ‘Thumbelina Leigh’ This dwarf English lavender was selected from a cross between two older varieties: ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead.’ Compact size and prolific dark blue and lavender flowers give this plant its wow factor. Grows to 12 to 15 inches tall. Zones 5 to 10. Source: High Country Gardens, 800-925-9387, www.highcountrygardens.com. Monarda didyma ‘Purple Rooster’ Behold, a mildew-free bee balm that never requires staking. Given its name by David Nedveck of The Flower Factory in Stoughton, Wisconsin (because he really likes roosters), ‘Purple Rooster’ has stunning, deep purple flowers and grows 3 feet tall. Zones 4 to 9. Source: Local garden centers; see retail locator at www.perennialresource.com. Penstemon ‘Prairie Twilight’ Blooms of Bressingham introduces this pretty bearded tongue, which is noteworthy for its beauty and its ability to withstand tough winters. Pink flowers with white tips and throats appear atop sturdy 22-inch stems in the spring and last and last. Looks good paired with ornamental grasses. Zones 4 to 9. Source: Local garden centers; see retail locator at www.bobna.com. Stachys ‘Pink Cotton Candy’ This new betony sage produces showy pink flowers atop long green stems that grow 24 inches tall. Tidy clumps of leaves look good even after blooms are gone. Zones 4 to 8. Source: Klehm’s Song Sparrow Farm & Nursery, 800-553-3715, www.songsparrow.com Annuals Coreopsis ‘Mango Punch’ Long-lasting petals of mango-orange with a hint of red make this plant a standout in any sunny garden. Its mounding form works particularly well in borders and containers and in mass plantings in beds. Cut back for continuous bloom. Grows 12 inches tall with an 18-inch spread. See store locator for retail and mail order sources at www.terranovanurseries.com. Eschscholzia californica ‘Copper Pot’ These cheery, coppery-red blooms are much more eye-catching than the orangey California poppy shades we’re all used to. An excellent choice for borders or containers, these attractive flowers are clustered atop bushy mounds of green, feathery foliage. Drought tolerant. Source: Thompson & Morgan, 800-274-7333, www.tmseeds.com. Lobularia Snow Princess This vigorous grower is no ordinary alyssum. Tough-as-nails Snow Princess loves heat and blooms continuously for months—it does wonders for hanging baskets, and turns heads when combined with petunias or coleus in beds and containers. Long-blooming flowers smell intensely of honey. Source: See store locator at www.provenwinners.com. Petunia x hybrida ‘Rhythm & Blues’ Spectacular blue flowers with a delicate white rim make a colorful display all season long. The mounded, spreading habit of this stunning annual make it a perfect choice for hanging baskets and containers. Grows 8 to 12 inches tall. Source: See store locator at www.ballhort.com. Viola wittrockiana ‘Viva La Violet’ Part of the new Mammoth series of large-flowered pansies, ‘Viva La Violet’ boasts showy, flat flowers up to 2½ inches across for maximum visual impact. A vigorous spreader in warm climates. Plants grow 6 to 8 inches tall. Source: Goldsmith Seeds, www.goldsmithseeds.com. Edibles Lettuce ‘Skyphos’ A dark red butterhead lettuce, ‘Skyphos’ tolerates heat well, so it can be grown as a spring, summer, or fall crop. Sweet, tender leaves are perfect for salads or sandwiches. Heads are 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Harvest in 47 days. Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds, 877-564-6697, www.johnnyseeds.com. Pepper ‘Naga Jolokia’ “¡Ay, caramba!” This chili pepper is officially recognized as the world’s hottest by the Guinness Book of World Records: a little more than 1 million Scoville Heat Units. Orange-red fruits grow 2 to 2½ inches long. Staking is required. Harvest 150 days after planting seed. Source: Thompson & Morgan, 800-274-7333, www.tmseeds.com. Pepper ‘Padron’ In the Galicia region of Spain, these peppers are used to make a delicious tapas or appetizer. Pick them small and sauté in a bit of olive oil for a superb snack. Vigorous plants bear early and keep on giving through most of the season. Start seeds indoors. Harvest 80 to 85 days from transplanting. Source: Renee’s Garden, 888-880-7288, www.reneesgarden.com Plum ‘Lydecker’ Black Ice A cross between cherry plums and conventional Japanese dessert plums, Black Ice is exceptionally winter hardy and early ripening, making it a great choice for northern gardeners who want to grow fruit. Compact growth makes it easy to manage. Requires a pollinator (Toka or La Crescent). Zones 3 to 8. Source: Jung Seed Company, 800-297-3123, www.jungseed.com. Radish ‘Rover’ Say goodbye to radishes that get bitter and misshapen once the summer heat really gets going. This new hybrid stays round and delicious all summer long! Enjoy high yields and particularly uniform plants. The plant’s red roots offer a rich flavor with a bit of a nip. Harvest in 28 days. Source: Jung Seed Company, 800-297-3123, www.jungseed.com. Shrubs Camellia sasanqua ‘Marge Miller’ Be the first on your block (heck, the first in your state) to grow a prostrate camellia. Use ‘Marge Miller’ as a gorgeous ground cover, train it as a weeping standard, or send it spilling over a stone wall. Abundant pink blooms and rich green foliage make this evergreen shrub an outstanding specimen. This fall bloomer prefers filtered sun. Zones 7 to 10. Source: See store locator at www.monrovia.com. Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA1’ Invincibelle Spirit Yes, it’s true! This Annabelle hybrid is the first mop-head form of Hydrangea arborescens to have pink flowers. Better still, to help raise $1 million dollars for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Proven Winners will donate $1 to BCRF for every plant sold. Zones 3 to 9. Source: see store locator at www.provenwinners.com. Magnolia grandiflora var. ‘STRgra’ Baby Grand If you’ve wished you could have a magnolia but never had the space, now is your chance. Welcome this dwarf evergreen magnolia with a rounded form and large, fragrant, white flowers. An excellent addition to smaller gardens. Use as a single specimen or hedge. Grows 8 to 10 feet tall. Zones 7 to 9. See store locator at www.monrovia.com. Mahonia fremontii This evergreen desert holly has characteristically holly-shaped leaves in gorgeous green-blue hues and an attractive, irregular branching structure. Mature plants offer highly fragrant yellow flowers in late spring, followed by orange-red berries (plant two or more shrubs for pollination). Grows 5 to 10 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9. Source: High Country Gardens, 800-925-9387, www.highcountrygardens.com.

Web Resource Guide February 2010

SuperUser Account — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:11:11 GMT

Garden Variety, page 10Plant Person:Nashville Music GardenNashville, TN, 615-321-3211www.nashvillemusicgarden.comSite Specific, page 15Resources for Northeast:Johnny’s Selected SeedsWinslow, ME, 877-564-6697 www.johnnyseeds.comSouthern Exposure Seed ExchangeMineral, VA, 540-894-9480www.southernexposure.com Resources for Southeast:To buy ‘Garden Salsa’:Park SeedGreenwood, SC 800-213-0076www.parkseed.comTo buy ‘Krimzon Lee’:Johnny’s Selected SeedsWinslow, ME 877-564-6697www.johnnyseeds.comTo buy ‘Mariachi’:W. Atlee Burpee & Co.Warminster, PA 800-333-5808www.burpee.com Resource for Southwest:Plants of the SouthwestAlbuquerque, NM (505-344-8830) and Santa Fe, NM (505-438-8888)www.plantsofthesouthwest.com Resources for Pacific Northwest:Nichols Garden NurseryAlbany, OR 800-422-3985www.nicholsgardennursery.comTerritorial Seed Co.Cottage Grove, OR 800-626-0866www.territorialseed.com Resource for Midwest/Mountain:Botanical InterestsBroomfield, CO 720-880-7293www.botanicalinterests.com Member Tips, page 22Web sites listed in “favorite sites” tip:Penn State Cooperative Extensionwww.extension.psu.edu/hort.htmlGardens Alive question of the weekwww.gardensalive.com/article_mcgrath.asp?ai=4Johnny’s Selected Seedswww.johnnyseeds.com New Varieties 2010, page 23Nurseries, retailers, and mailorder sources:David Austin RosesTyler, TX 800-328-8893www.davidaustinroses.comDutch BulbsVirginia Beach, VA 800-622-9997www.dutchbulbs.comEdmunds’ RosesRandolph, WI 888-481-7673www.edmundsroses.comGarden CrossingsZeeland, MI 616-875-6355www.gardencrossings.comJ. W. Jung Seed Co.Randolph, WI 800-297-3123www.jungseed.comPlant Delights Nursery Inc.Raleigh, NC, 919-772-4794www.plantdelights.comRegan NurseryFremont, CA 800-249-4680www.regannursery.comSchreiner’s Iris GardensSalem, OR 800-525-2367www.schreinersgardens.comTomato Growers Supply Co.Fort Myers, FL 888-478-7333www.tomatogrowers.comWayside GardensHodges, SC 800-213-0379www.waysidegardens.comStore locators:To find plants from a specific company, go to the sites below and enter your ZIP code in the store locator (sometimes called a retail locator or simply “where to buy”) for a list of local garden centers that are likely to carry the plant.All-America Selectionswww.allamericaselections.orgAll-America Rose Selectionsww.rose.comArmstrong Garden Centerswww.armstronggarden.comBailey Nurserieswww.baileynurseries.comForever & Ever Hydrangeawww.foreverhydrangea.comPerennial Resourcewww.perennialresource.comProven Winnerswww.provenwinners.comTerra Nova Nurserieswww.terranovanurseries.com Choose the Right Tomato Support, page 40Sources for vine clips:Johnny’s Selected SeedsWinslow, ME, 877-564-6697www.johnnyseeds.comTerritorial Seed Co.Cottage Grove, OR 800-626-0866www.territorialseed.comSource for trellis netting:Lee Valley ToolsOgdensburg, NY 800-871-8158www.leevalley.com Tool Shop, page 44Sources for garden-design software:Realtime Landscaping Plus866-894-4332www.ideaspectrum.comPunch! Master Landscape Pro Version 10800-365-4832www.punchsoftware.com/products/masterpro.htmTotal 3D Home and Landscape Design800-822-3522www.individualsoftware.com/software/home_garden_design Up Close, page 60Bloomingbulb.comMedford, OR 800-648-2852www.bloomingbulb.comBrent and Becky’s BulbsGloucester, VA, 877-661-2852www.brentandbeckysbulbs.comK. Van Bourgondien & SonsVirginia Beach, VA 800-552-9996www.kvbwholesale.com

2009 Photo Contest Winners

SuperUser Account — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:47:27 GMT

Our top picks from the Club's 2009 garden photo contest! Congratulations to the winners of the sixth annual National Home Gardening Club photo contest! Once again, we were thrilled with the hundreds of great member photos you sent. Though choosing the winners was lots of fun, it was not easy. For every stunning, unique photo you see on these pages, there were at least a dozen that were just as unique and almost as stunning. The winning photos are the ones that had it all: technical precision, creative perspective, and intriguing subject matter. —The staff of Gardening How-To1st PlaceLife Member Connie Willmon Oregon City, OR Bee on aster 2nd Place Life Member Belinda Morton Frederick, MD Raindrops on Japanese maple 3rd PlaceLife Member Crystal Richmond Glouster, OH 'Olina' Asiatic lily Honorable Mentions Member Amanda Trueworthy Latta, SC Magnolia Life Member Jingyan Zuo San Jose, CA Monarch butterfly on cosmos Member June Henderson Washington, IA Asiatic lilies Member Aleth Matrone Kutztown, PA Daisies Member Stephani Tomes Lebanon, OH Maple leaves Life Member Theresa Greene Bluford, IL Grasshopper on zinnia Member Pamela Moor Magnolia, TX Rose leaf Life Member Melissa Whitman Bremerton, WA Lupines Life Member Wendy Zach Hampton, VA Baby chickadee

2009 Photo Contest Entries

SuperUser Account — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:40:09 GMT

National Home Gardening Club members amazed us with their entries for the 2009 Photo Contest. We showcased the winners in the January 2010 issue of Gardening How-To, and below are a few more of our favorite entries. Monarchs perch on a pentas in Member Cathy Hennessy’s Milton, FL, garden. Life Member Jill Tauchert’s Eugene, OR, trees are ablaze in fall color. Member Karen Bacon captured the fiery blooms of crocosmia in her Parkton, MD, garden. Dahlberg daisies reach for the sky in the Maitland, FL, yard of Member Kelley Maners. Life Member Larry Laird grew this trillium in a bottomless fish tank in Waynesboro, PA. Member Linda Westmeyer’s Mediterranean bells begin to open in her Cleveland, OH, garden. This color-coordinated pair brightened the Fayetteville, TX, garden of Life Member Maria Stein. A bright poppy caught the attention of Life Member Robert Rokes of Riverside, CA. Member Susan Sliz, of Decatur, IL, got up close to this partly open zinnia.A peony bursts into bloom in the Burlington, VT, garden of Life Member Susan Menard.

Web Resource Guide January 2010

SuperUser Account — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:47:02 GMT

Garden Variety, page 10Garden Spot:Missouri Botanical Gardens, St. Louis, MO, 800-642-8842, www.mobot.orgProduct Pick: Source for PlantCam:Wingscapes, 888-811-9464, www.wingscapes.com/plantcamPlant Pick:Sources for strawberry tree:Forestfarm, Williams, OR, 541-846-7269, www.forestfarm.com. (Forestfarm carries A. unedo ‘Compacta’, a cultivar that’s smaller than the species.)Raintree Nursery, Morton, WA, 360-496-6400, www.raintreenursery.comWhitman Farms, Salem, OR, 503-585-8728, www.whitmanfarms.comSite Specific, page 12Resources for Southeast:Maple Ridge Nursery, Decatur, GA, 770-987-4066, www.japanesemaplesandconifers.comSmallPlants.com, Horse Shoe, NC, www.smallplants.comResources for Southwest: To buy Picea pungens ‘Baby Blue Eyes’:Loomis Nursery, Boring, OR, 503-663-5737, www.loomisnursery.com To buy Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Chip’:Miller Nursery, Johnston, IA, 515-276-7505, www.millernursery.comResources for Pacific Northwest: To see a dwarf conifer exhibit:South Seattle Community College Arboretum, Coenosium Rock Garden, Seattle, WA, 206-768-6684, www.southseattle.edu/arboretum To buy Thujopsis dolabrata ‘Nana’:Forestfarm, Williams, OR, 541-846-7269, www.forestfarm.comJoy Creek Nursery, Scappoose, OR, 503-543-7474, www.joycreek.com To buy Thuja plicata ‘Whipcord’:Arrowhead Alpines, Fowlerville, MI, 517-223-3581, www.arrowheadalpines.comResource for Midwest/Mountain: To buy Taxus cuspidata ‘Densa’:Lazy S’s Farm, Barboursville, VA, www.lazyssfarm.comResource for Northeast:Blue River Nursery, Columbia City, IN, 260-244-7420, www.bluerivernursery.com To see photos and descriptions of other small conifers, visit the Web site of wholesaler Iseli Nursery, www.iseli-nursery.com.Never-ending Blooms, page 26To buy amaryllis bulbs:Breck’s Bulbs, Guilford, IN, 513-354-1512, www.brecks.comBrent and Becky’s Bulbs, Gloucester, VA, 877-661-2852, www.brentandbeckysbulbs.comTool Shop, page 44Source for stepping stone kits:Magnetic Poetry Inc., Minneapolis, MN, 800-370-7697, www.magneticpoetry.comSource for garden journal:Journals Unlimited, Bay City, MI, 800-897-8528, www.journalsunlimited.comSources for “good causes” gift certificates:The Gift of Green, 512-691-6325, www.begreennow.com. (Click on Shop Now.)Heifer International, 800-422-0474, www.heifer.orgSource for compost containers and biobags:Plow and Hearth, 800-494-7544, www.plowhearth.comSource for note cards:Elizabeth’s Flowers, Twin Lakes, WI, www.elizabeths-flowers.comSource for trugs:Kinsman Garden Co., Pipersville, PA, 800-733-4129, www.kinsmangarden.comSource for fountain:Yardiac, Greenville, SC, 866-927-3422, www.yardiac.comSource for watering can:Decorative Cents, Frisco, TX, 888-643-3744, www.decorativecents.com

January 2010 Cover Poll

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:18:50 GMT

Help us choose our next cover!Vote for the cover that most makes you want to open the January 2010 issue and read it. (To see more detail, you can click on either cover to enlarge it.)If you'd like to give us written feedback on why you chose the cover you did, please e-mail us. Fill out my Wufoo form!

Web Resource Guide September October 2009

SuperUser Account — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:56:19 GMT

Web Resource Guide September/October 2009Garden Variety, page 8Rio Grande Botanic Garden, Albuquerque, NM, 505-768-2000,www.cabq.gov/biopark/gardenDenver Botanic Gardens, Denver, CO, 720-865-3500,www.botanicgardens.orgSite Specific, page 18Resource for Southwest:To see alkali sacaton grass and 'Blaze' little bluestem grass:Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, CO, 720-865-3500, www.botanicgardens.org.To buyalkali sacaton grass and 'Blaze' little bluestem grass:High County Gardens, Santa Fe, NM, 800-925-9387, www.highcountygardens.com. Resources for Pacific Northwest:Big Dipper Farm, Black Diamond, WA, 360-886-8133, www.bigdipperfarm.com.Forestfarm, Williams, OR, 541-846-7269, www.forestfarm.com.Prairie Nursery, Westfield, WI, 800-476-9453, www.prairienursery.comResources for Northwest:Bluestone Perennials, Madison, OH, 800-852-5243, www.bluestoneperennials.comSanta Rosa Gardens, Gulf Breeze, FL, 866-681-0856, www.santarosagardens.comResource for Southwest:Park Seed, Greenwood, SC, 800-213-0076, www.parkseed.com.Sunlight Gardens, Andersonville, TN, 800-272-7396, www.sunlightgardens.com. Sunflower Power, page 22Sources for sunflower seeds:Johnny's Selected Seeds, Winslow, ME, 877-564-6697, www.johnnyseeds.com.Kitchen Garden Seeds, Bantam, CT, 860-567-6086, www.kitchengardenseeds.comRenee’s Garden Seeds, Felton, CA, 888-880-7228, www.reneesgarden.comSeed N Grow, Trunch, Norfolk, UK, www.seedngrow.comTerritorial Seeds, Cottage Grove, OR, 800-626-0866, www.territorialseed.comW. Atlee Burpee & Co., Warminster, PA, 800-333-5808, www.burpee.comDelicious Native Fruits, page 28Sources of native plants:Edible Landscaping Nursery, Afton, VA, 800-524-4156, www.eat-it.comHartmann’s Plant Company, Lacota, MI, 269-253-4281, www.hartmannsplantcompany.comOne Green World, Molalla, OR, 877-353-4028, www.onegreenworld.comGet Smarter About Water, page 34Sources of rain barrels:Clean Air Gardening, Dallas, TX, 214-819-9500, www.cleanairgardening.com/rainbarrels.htmlFiskars, Madison, WI, 866-348-5661,www.rain-barrel.comMake a Harvest Wreath, page 38Tangletown Gardens, Minneapolis, MN, www.tangletowngardens.comTool Shop, page 44Sources for self-watering containers:EarthBox, Scranton, PA, 888-917-3908, www.earthbox.comGardeners Supply, Burlington, VT, 888-833-1412, www.gardeners.comLee Valley Tools, Ogdensburg, NY, 800-871-8158, www.leevalley.comSources for upside-down planters:Topsy Turvy, Bridgeport, CT, 866-751-1480, www.topsyturvy.comKinsman Co., Pipersville, PA, 800-733-4146,www.kinsmangarden.com

Web Resource Guide July August 2009

SuperUser Account — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:25:41 GMT

Web Resource Guide July/August 2009Garden Variety, page 10West County Gardener, Guilderland Center, NY, 800-475-0567, www.westcountygardener.com.Site Specific, page 22Resource for Northeast:American Meadows, Williston, VT, 877-309-7333, www.americanmeadows.com.Resources for Southeast:Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Winslow, ME, 877-564-6697, www.johnnyseeds.com.Park Seed, Greenwood, SC, 800-213-0076, www.parkseed.com.Resources for Southwest:For Echinacea spp.:W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Warminster, PA, 800-333-5808, www.burpee.com.For Rudbeckia spp.:Dayton Nursery, Norton, OH, 330-825-3320, www.daytonnursery.com.Resource for Pacific Northwest:High Country Gardens, Santa Fe, NM, 800-925-9387, www.highcountrygardens.com.Resource for Midwest/Mountain:Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, Gloucester, VA, 877-661-2852, www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com. 10 Heirloom Tomatoes to Try Now, page 30For sources of heirloom tomatoes:Seed Saver’s Exchange, Decorah, IA, 563- 382-5990, www.seedsavers.org.Victory Seed Co., Molalla, OR, www.victoryseeds.com.W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Warminster, PA, 00-333-5808, www.burpee.com. UPCLOSE answerLawn Care 101, page 42For sources of buffalo grass:High Country Gardens, Santa Fe, NM, 800-925-9387, www.highcountrygardens.com.For sources of mixed fescues:Prairie Nursery, Westfield, WI, 800-476-9453, www.prairienursery.com.Wildflower Farm, Warminster, ON, Canada, 866-476-9453, www.wildflowerfarm.com. Tool Shop, page 52For sources of battery-powered mowers:Black & Decker, 410-716-3900, www.blackanddecker.com.Neuton, Vergennes, VT, 800-798-2921, www.neutonpower.comRyobi, www.ryobitools.com.Sears Craftsman, 800-349-4358, www.craftsman.com.Yard Machines, www.yardmachines.com.For sources of robotic mowers:Husqvarna Automower, www.automower.com.LawnBott, Lawrenceville, GA, 877-465-9636, www.lawnbott.com.Robomow, 212-239-8230, www.friendlyrobotics.com.For sources of reel mowers:Lowe’s, www.lowes.com.Sears Craftsman, www.craftsman.com. UpClose, page 64For sources of ‘Loreto’:Carmel Country Gardens, Carmel, NY, 845-228-9170, www.carmelcountrygardens.com.The Lily Garden, Vancouver, WA, 360-253-6273, www.thelilygarden.com.Michigan Bulb Company, Lawrenceburg, IN, 513-354-1497, www.michiganbulb.com.For sources of ‘Orange Art’:B&D Lilies, Port Townsend, WA, 360-765-4341, www.bdlilies.com.Hallson Gardens, Brooklyn, MI, 866-568-1474, www.perennialnursery.com.

Five More Terrific Tomatoes

SuperUser Account — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:10:12 GMT

In our July/August 2009 issue, author Teresa O’Connor listed 10 great heirloom tomatoes. Here are five more that are well worth trying:‘Amana Orange’ Large, light orange beefsteaks reach 2 pounds or more. Excellent sweet flavor. 90 days.‘Aunt Ruby’s German Green’ Along with a great name, this heirloom has light greenish-yellow beefsteak tomatoes with a superb sweet and fruity flavor. The variety comes from Tennessee and tolerates hot climates. 80 days.‘Banana Legs’ This prolific heirloom yields bright yellow, banana-shaped fruit that grows up to 4 inches long. The determinate variety doesn’t need pruning or staking. 72 days.‘Mortgage Lifter’ "Radiator Charlie" Byles developed this popular variety in Logan, West Virginia. Legend has it Byles paid off his mortgage by selling the prolific plants. Deep pink beefsteaks have a sweet, rich flavor. 70 days.‘White Wonder’ Mild-tasting, creamy white tomatoes grow on indeterminate plants. Good for canning and slicing. 85 days.

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SuperUser Account — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:32:20 GMT

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Tips for Deterring Squirrels

SuperUser Account — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:58:04 GMT

Share your best tips for deterring squirrels and win a prize!Do squirrels raid your birdfeeder, dig up your bulbs, and wreak all sorts of other garden havoc? Have you discovered a creative way to keep them away from your plants or birdfeeder?In two or three sentences, share your best tips for deterring squirrels in the garden. If we choose your tip to be published in Gardening How-To magazine, you’ll win a prize! To be considered, tips must include your name, address, and member number, and must be submitted by August 1, 2009.Winning tips will be published in the January 2010 issue.

Web Resource Guide May June 2009

SuperUser Account — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:18:21 GMT

Web Resource Guide May/June 2009Garden Variety, page 10 Plant Person:Patti Moreno, www.gardengirltv.com.Garden Spot: Atlanta Botanic Garden, Atlanta, GA, 404876- 5859, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.May the Best Plant Win: American Garden Award, www.americangardenaward.org.Plant Pick: Sources for ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ rose:Almost Eden, Merryville, LA, 337-375-2114, www.almostedenplants.com.High Country Roses, Jensen, UT, 800-5522082, www.highcountryroses.com.Rogue Valley Roses, Ashland, OR, 541-5351307, www.roguevalleyroses.com.Vintage Gardens, Sebastopol, CA, 707-8292035, www.vintagegardens.com.Site Specific, page 22 Resource for Midwest/Mountain:Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN, 866417-8156, www.prairiemoon.com.Resource for Northeast:Well-Sweep Herb Farm, Port Murray, NJ, 908-852-5390, www.wellsweep.com.Resources for Southeast:Possum Creek Herb Farm, Soddy Daisy, TN, 423-332-0347, www.possumcreekherb.com.Thyme After Thyme, Winterville, GA, 706742-7149, www.thymeafterthyme.com. Resources for Southwest:For cilantro:The Tasteful Garden, Heflin, AL, 866-8556344, www.tastefulgarden.com.For yerba buena:Las Pilitas Nursery, Santa Margarita, CA, 805-438-5992, www.laspilitas.com.For info on growing basil:Tropical Permaculture, www.tropicalpermaculture.com.Resources for Pacific Northwest:Mountain Valley Growers, Squaw Valley, CA, 559-338-2775,www.mountainvalleygrowers.com.Nichols Garden Nursery, Albany, OR, 800422-3985, www.nicholsgardennursery.com.Belle of the Ball, page 40 For sources of Heuchera:North Creek Nurseries, Landenberg, PA, 610-255-0100, www.northcreeknurseries.com.Terra Nova Nurseries, Canby, OR, 800-2159450,www.terranovanurseries.com. For info on Heucheras and Heucherella by Dan Heims and Grahame Ware:Timber Press, www.timberpress.com/ books/isbn.cfm/9780881927023/heucheras_he ucherellas/heims.Eight Steps to Perfect Compost, page 46 For sources of compost bins and kitchen crocks:Clean Air Gardening, Dallas, TX, 214-8199500, www.cleanairgardening.com.Lee Valley Tools, Ogdensburg, NY, 800-8718158, www.leevalley.com.Tool Shop, page 50 For sources of power equipment:Black & Decker, 410-716-3900, www.blackanddecker.com.Husqvarna, www.usa.husqvarna.com.Neuton, Vergennes, VT, 800-798-2921, www.neutonpower.com.Remington Power Tools, Bowling Green, KY, 800-626-2237, www.remingtonpowertools.com.Sears Craftsman, 800-349-4358, www.craftsman.com/lawnandgarden.Stihl, www.stihlusa.com.Walker Mowers, 970-221-5614, www.walkermowers.com. For oil/gas mix for 2-cycle engines:TruSouth Oil, Shreveport, LA, 866-950-3835, www.50fuel.com.

American Garden Awards

SuperUser Account — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:41:35 GMT

Vote for your favorite plants!In our May/June 2009 issue, we announced the American Garden Awards—a program in which you can visit certain public gardens and vote for your favorite plants. According to the American Garden Awards Web site, here are the plants you can vote on:Click on photos to enlarge.Pentas "Northern Lights Lavender" Petunia "Baby Duck Yellow" Petunia "Opera Supreme Purple" Petunia "Plush Lilac Pearl" Rudbeckia "TigerEye Gold" Vinca "Viper Orchid Halo" The Web site also has a list of participating public gardens from coast to coast.

Fast Growing Perennials

SuperUser Account — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:35:11 GMT

In the May/June 2009 issue of Gardening How-To magazine, you learned about some fast-growing perennials that give the garden a burst of colorful blooms their very first year. Here’s a list of more, and some ideas to help fast-forward your newly planted garden and quickly give it a more established look.Click on photos to enlarge.Even more fast-growing perennials:Bee balm Monarda didyma Zones 4 to 9 Bugleweed Ajuga reptans Zones 3 to 9 Catmint Nepeta x faassenii Zones 4 to 8 Fleabane Erigeron spp. Zones 3 to 8 Garden phlox Phlox paniculata Zones 4 to 9 Lady’s mantle Alchemilla mollis Zones 4 to 7 Spotted deadnettle Lamium maculatum Zones 4 to 8 New England aster Symphotrichum novae-angliae Zones 3 to 9 Yarrow Achillea millefolium Zones 3 to 9 Yellow corydalis Corydalis lutea Zones 5 to 8 Prepare the soil. Plants will settle in, adapt, and start growing faster in top-quality soil. Before you plant anything, spread 2 to 3 inches of compost on the soil and till in to a depth of about 8 inches. New roots will have a fluffy, loose-textured home to spread into, as well as lots of natural, slow-release nutrients to give them a good start. Fill gaps economically. When young perennials are properly spaced in the garden, there can be bare spots in between. Instead of filling that space with dozens of annual bedding plants, use a few large annuals. Tall, substantial cleome or nicotiana give the garden size and weight quickly with fewer plants. Use bulbs for fast bloom. Summer bulbs like dahlias, cannas, gladiolus, and caladiums are fast growers that provide lots of colorful foliage and flowers. Treat them as annuals and leave the bulbs in the ground when winter rolls around, or dig them up and store until next spring. If you live in a warmer climate where they’re hardy-year-round, leave the bulbs in the ground and look forward to years of enjoyment. Splurge on a few full-size plants. Grasses have immediate impact and look good even in winter. But they’re slow-growing compared to annuals and perennials. It’s worth it to plant more mature specimens, which will be even larger in the years to come. Dwarf flowering shrubs like potentilla, Japanese spirea, and deutzia bloom when they’re small and have interesting foliage and structure before the other plants even start their show. Design for maximum impact. Place the shortest plants in the front and the tallest in the back to give a sense of depth and fullness. As the plants mature and take on their final sizes and forms, you can always change things around. Move temporary plants as permanent ones grow together, and experiment with different combinations.

Plants for Theme Gardens

SuperUser Account — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:16:26 GMT

In our May/June issue, you read how plants and hardscapes can work together to create a distinct motif. Here are a few more plants and suggestions that can bring your garden’s unique theme to life.MODERN The modern style focuses on clean, simple lines; few, if any, purely decorative elements; and the practicality of “form follows function.” The plants used in this theme often have geometric shapes, balanced form, and low maintenance needs. Check with a local nursery or cooperative extension service to make sure none of these plants are invasive in your region.Banana yucca (Yucca baccata, Zones 5 to 12) Dasylirion (Dasylirion acrotrichum, Zones 9 to 11) Desert spoon (Dasylirion wheeleri, Zones 6 to 10) Hedgehog agave (Agave stricta ‘Pueblensis’, Zones 7 to 11) Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale, Zones 3 to 11) Jade plant (Crassula ovata, Zones 9 to 11)Grasses Blue fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’, Zones 4 to 8) Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens, Zones 4 to 9) Golden hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, Zones 5 to 9) Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium, Zones 5 to 9) Sideoats grama grass (Bouteloua curtipendula, Zones 4 to 9) Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa, Zones 4 to 9) SOUTHWESTERN Southwestern gardens are all about sheltering and conservation in a tough environment. Hacienda-style architecture usually features an enclosed patio surrounded by high walls and heavy gates. Overhead shade structures, called ramadas, are built of rough logs or timbers, and adobe-covered walls on homes and other buildings provide a neutral background for brightly colored flowers.Southwestern gardens feature xeric (drought-tolerant) plants. Cacti come immediately to mind, but there are many xeric plants that bloom longer and give the garden color throughout the year:Agave Century plant (Agave americana, Zones 9 to 11) Mescal (Agave parryi, Zones 9 to 11) Sharkskin agave (Agave ‘Sharkskin’, Zones 8 to 11) Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, Zones 4 to 8) Autumn sage (Salvia greggii, Zones 7 to 9) Cacti Bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys, Zones 8 to 10) Cholla (Cylindropuntia spp., Zones 5 to 9) Hedgehog cacti (Echinocereus spp., Zones 4 to 10) Pincushion cacti (Escobaria spp., Zones 5 to 9) Prickly pear (Opuntia polyacantha, Zones 4 to 9) California fuchsia (Zauschneria californica, Zones 8 to 10) California poppy (Eschscholzia californica, annual) Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus, annual) Crocosmia (Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, Zones 6 to 9) Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis, Zones 4 to 9) Desert sunflower (Geraea canescens, annual) Ice plant (Delosperma cooperi, Zones 5 to 9) Jupiter’s beard (Centranthus ruber, Zones 5 to 8) New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax, Zones 9 to 10) Perennial sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani, Zones 4 to 9) Pineleaf penstemon (Penstemon pinifolius, Zones 4 to 9) Red hyssop (Agastache rupestris, Zones 4 to 9) Spanish bayonet (Yucca harrimaniae, Zones 5 to 8) Tetraneuris (Tetraneuris acaulis, Zones 4 to 8) Texas red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora, Zones 8 to 10) Voodoo sedum (Sedum spurium ‘Voodoo’, Zones 4 to 8) Wine cups (Callirhoe involucrata, Zones 4 to 8) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium, Zones 3 to 9) Yellow columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha, Zones 4 to 8) ASIAN An Asian garden is designed as a sanctuary from the stress of everyday life. It’s meant to express and distill the essence of nature. Japanese gardens will have some or all of these elements: • water (real or symbolic) with fish • rocks • an island, with a bridge or stepping stones to the island • a tea house or pavilion • an enclosing wall • limited plant palette • “borrowed” landscapes (views outside the garden) • odd numbers of components in an asymmetrical arrangementEvery element is selected and arranged to create a sense of passage from one place to another, slow the observer down, and inspire serenity.This isn’t a garden where you want to pack in the plants. Unlike Western gardens, which celebrate change from the first spring bulb to the last autumn leaf, Asian gardens honor stability and constancy.Limited colors, shapes, and textures are the hallmark of this style.At the edges of ponds and streams: Irish moss (Sagina subulata, Zones 4 to 7) Japanese water iris (Iris ensata, Zones 5 to 8) Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera, Zones 5 to 10) Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris, Zones 3 to 7) Miniature cattails (Typha minima, Zones 3 to 11) Grassy-leaved sweet flag (Acorus gramineus, Zones 10 to 11)Trees: Flowering cherry (Prunus spp., Zones 5 to 9) Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii, Zones 5 to 10) Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, Zones 5 to 9) Sargent’s crabapple (Malus sargentii, Zones 4 to 8) Willow (Salix spp., Zones 3 to 9)Shrubs: Azalea (Rhododendron indicum, Zones 6 to 10) Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica, Zones 6 to 9) Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum, Zones 7 to 10) Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa, Zones 4 to 9)Perennials (choose more foliage plants than bright, colorful attention-getters): African lily (Agapanthus africanus, Zones 9 to 10) Clivia (Clivia miniata, Zones 9 to 10) Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp., Zones 3 to 10) Hostas (Hosta spp., Zones 4 to 9) Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis, Zones 2 to 7) Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris, Zones 3 to 8) Shield fern (Polystichgum setiferum, Zones 6 to 9) Variegated sweet iris (Iris pallida ‘Variegata’, Zones 4 to 9) Grasses: Boulder blue festuca grass (Festuca glauca ‘Boulder Blue’, Zones 4 to 9) Carex (Carex hachijoensis ‘Evergold’, Zones 6 to 9) Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, Zones 3 to 9) Japanese pampas grass (Miscanthus sinensis, Zones 5 to 9) Oriental fountain grass (Pennisetum orientale, Zones 2 to 6) Sea urchin blue fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Sea Urchin’, Zones 4 to 9)Add color by sprinkling Asian-themed containers filled with annuals and tropicals throughout. ECLECTIC The great thing about this free-spirited garden style is that it can contain just about any kind of plant, hardscape, or decoration. Nothing is out of bounds. The ones that really work have a secret, though. The crazy quilt of styles, colors, and shapes is really a combination of small, well-balanced vignettes.Containers of colorful succulents could be grouped together right next to a patch of annual wildflowers, surrounded by a formal boxwood hedge in front of an antique wheelbarrow full of pansies. The eye will first see the cacophony, but then seek out the islands of similarity, resting on one before moving to the next.Small vignettes are easier to maintain than huge garden spaces. When an individual scene gets tired, or you get tired of it, you can put together a new design without changing the garden’s overall feel.Eclectic gardens are terrific for plant collectors, recyclers, and anyone with more ideas than space.

Tips on Growing Organically

SuperUser Account — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:13:38 GMT

In the May/June 2009 issue, National Home Gardening Club members shared tips on organic techniques that have been successful in their gardens. Here are more organic gardening tips from NHGC members:twice as nice Double mulch your vegetable garden with a thick layer of black and white newspaper covered with grass clippings or other finely chopped material. The double layer effectively chokes out weeds but still looks neat and tidy. ?Judy Mackinder, Battle Creek, MIcheers! To get rid of slugs, put a bowl of beer between your plants. The slugs will drown in the beer. ?Carol Shade, Jamestown, TNon a roll I make all the seed-starting pots I need for free. I cut empty toilet tissue, paper towel, and wrapping paper tubes into three-inch lengths, cut four one-inch notches in one end, and fold the tabs in like a box top. Filled with seed starting mix, they make biodegradable pots that can be transplanted without disturbing the seedlings. ?Lisa Livermore, New Carlisle, Ohiopaper trail To slow down slugs and cutworms, place shredded paper around any plants they bother. Their soft bodies don't seem to like crawling across the curls of paper, and it’s a great way to recycle what would otherwise be waste. ?Sherri Ohnsted, Duluth, MNpests on the menu When bugs get especially bad, I order some natural predators from an Internet source or catalog. Depending on the pest, I’ll bring in praying mantis, lacewings, or ladybugs with the understanding that they probably won’t make a home in my garden, but will stay long enough to bring the pests under control. ?Tammy Goebel, Saint Charles, MO

Garden Profile

SuperUser Account — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:15:51 GMT

In the May/June 2009 issue, Suzanne and Max Birdsall shared the history of their exuberant cottage garden and the elegant hardscaping that ties it all together. Below, find more photos of this unique garden.Click on photos to enlarge.Instead of putting a pond in the center of the yard, Suzanne tucked it under the dappled shade of a birch tree and surrounded it with a bank of perennials, including hostas, ostrich ferns, astilbes, variegated irises, hydrangeas, and cranesbill geraniums. Now it’s a pleasant oasis, nearly hidden until you’re right next to it. If you wander long enough on the brick path that meanders through the Birdsalls’ yard, you’ll come to this pretty scene: a classic birdbath (an anniversary gift from Max) surrounded by lavender, which is in turn encircled by tiles of salvaged marble. The birdbath is a lovely focal point for this central part of the garden, and it also illustrates the genius of garden rooms. Walk 10 feet to the right or left, and the scene changes completely. The Birdsalls’ backyard ends in this cozy seating area bordered by the garage and a garden shed. Shade is provided courtesy of a 90-year-old Concord grapevine, which leans on an arbor that the previous owner—an Italian winemaker—constructed from pipes. The Birdsalls don’t make wine, but they wisely kept the arbor, which gives color, shelter, and privacy to this corner. Their love of old things is also evident in the shutters on the garage windows (a neighbor’s castaways) and in the handsome door to the right, which Max built using part of an old iron gate he found in the alley. “We have no front yard,” says Suzanne of her house in central Saratoga Springs. “We’re right on the street, on the corner. When we first moved here, when people would stop at the stop sign I’d get up because I thought we had company.” In spite of the stream of traffic, the Birdsalls didn’t neglect the front porch. After all, it’s the entryway to their gorgeous and intimate back yard. Suzanne plants the windowboxes with bright annuals each year. Her brother Mark, a cabinetmaker, used plywood to create the striking cut-outs at the base of the porch. The mahogany gate at the entry to the Birdsalls’ garden is a guide in more ways than one. In its details it points to some of the facets that make the garden unique: Suzanne’s brother Mark used a wrought-iron coaster for the ornate centerpiece on top, which echoes the use of salvaged material throughout the garden. The curve of the top is repeated in the garden’s paths and flower beds, and it provides a measure of privacy—one of Suzanne’s main concerns as she built the garden and created its signature hidden rooms.

Web Resource Guide March April 2009

SuperUser Account — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:04:41 GMT

Web Resource Guide March/April 2009Garden Talk, page 6For information on volunteering:New Orleans Botanical Garden, 504-482-4888, www.neworleanscitypark.com/volind.com.Garden Variety, page 10Green Thumb Award winners:www.mailordergardening.com/pdf/2009gtawinnerslr.pdf.Site Specific, page 22Resources for Pacific Northwest:For information on encouraging butterflies in your garden:The Xerces Society, Portland, OR, 503-232-6639, www.xerces.org.For snowberry and elderberry cultivars:Forestfarm, Williams, OR, 541-846-7269,www.forestfarm.com. Resource for Midwest/Mountain:Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN, 866-417-8156, www.prairiemoon.com. Resources for Northeast:Bluestone Perennials, Madison, OH, 800-852-5243, www.bluestoneperennials.com.Digging Dog Nursery, Albion, CA, 707-937-1130, www.diggingdog.com. Resources for Southeast:W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Warminster, PA, 800-333-5808, www.burpee.com.Henry Field’s Seed & Nursery, Aurora, IN, 513-354-1494, www.henryfields.com.Seedman, Gautier, MS, www.seedman.com. Resources for Southwest:White Flower Farm, Litchfield, CT, 800-503-9624, www.whiteflowerfarm.com.Prairie Nursery, Westfield, WI, 800-476-9453, www.prairienursery.com.Backyard Wildlife, page 56For build-it-yourself nest box plans:Cornell Lab of Ornithology, www.birds.cornell.edu/nestinginfo.

2009 Green Thumb Award Winners

SuperUser Account — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:05:48 GMT

In our March/April 2009 issue, we featured one of the 2009 winners of the Green Thumb Awards, sponsored by the Mailorder Gardening Association. Here are the other winners: Click on photos to enlarge.Plant Cottage from Gardener’s Supply Co, Burlington, VT, 800-955-3370, www.gardeners.com. Rudbeckia x hirta ‘Cherry Brandy’ from Thompson and Morgan, Jackson, NJ, 800-274-7333, www.tmseeds.com. Begonia x tuberhybrida ‘Scentsation Mixed’ from Thompson and Morgan, Jackson, NJ, 800-274-7333, www.tmseeds.com Bonbini lily from Dutch Gardens, Burlington, VT, 800-944-2250, www.dutchgardens.com. Brugmansia ‘Angel’s Dream’ from Logee’s Tropical Plants, Danielson, CT, 888-330-8038, www.logees.com. Honey Bear winter squash from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Winslow, ME, 877-564-6697, www.johnnyseeds.com. Prairie Blush certified organic potato from Wood Prairie Farm, Bridgewater, ME, 800-829-9765, www.woodprairie.com. Liquid Net for Pets and Liquid Fence Mole Repellent Worms from Liquid Fence Company, Brodheadsville, PA, 800-923-3623, www.liquidfence.com. Golden Delicious Apple Collection for Children from Stark Bro’s Nurseries and Orchards, Louisiana, MO, 800-325-4180, www.starkbros.com. Optimum Deep Plug Starter Kit from Charley’s Greenhouse and Garden, Mt. Vernon, WA, 800-322-4707, www.charleysgreenhouse.com.

Member Tips on Growing Roses

SuperUser Account — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:57:55 GMT

Roses are among the most popular garden flowers in the world. And despite their finicky reputations, they’re relatively easy to grow if you give them the right location, six hours of sun a day, and regular water.Here’s the catch: Rose care is regional. The right techniques for roses in the arid Southwest might not be best for roses in New England. So we’ve gathered tips from across the country to help you with your roses, wherever they may grow. Pacific Northwest Planting time: January through April*“Wet” is the signature of this region. Abundant water produces blooms from late spring through November, but diseases also thrive in this moist environment. Hybrid teas and floribundas need a lot of coddling in this cool environment, so select the most disease-resistant roses available. Plant in full sun in well-amended, compost-rich soil. Give plants lots of room for good air circulation. Drench soil and spray canes with compost tea. Watch foliage closely throughout the growing season; spot-treat fungi like black spot or powdery mildew with an organic fungicide. Prune in late winter or early spring when the buds begin to swell. Make sure tools are sharp. Dull, ragged cuts open the rose to diseases and insects.Best roses for the region: About Face (Zones 6 to 9) Carefree Wonder (Zones 4 to 9) Cherry Parfait (Zones 6 to 9) Crimson Bouquet (Zones 5 to 9) Day Breaker (Zones 6 to 10) Fourth of July (Zones 5 to 9) Gemini (Zones 6 to 9)Southwest Planting Time: December through February*This region is famous for endless sunshine and sparse rain. Roses bloom April through December on the cooler Pacific coast. In mountain and desert areas away from the ocean, searing temperatures change little between day and night, causing roses go dormant during the height of summer. In these areas, they bloom in April and again in October. If you live in a consistently hot climate, look for heat-tolerant roses that have with thicker, darker leaves and intensely colored blooms. In all areas, regular irrigation is vital, but sandy soils can dry out quickly. Amend with plenty of organic matter and test the pH periodically. Add an iron and sulfur compound if the soil is alkaline or the plants start to turn yellow. Mulch with 3 to 4 inches of compost, bark, or gravel.Best roses for the region:Cherry Parfait (Zones 6 to 9) Elle (Zones 7 to 10) Fourth of July (Zones 5 to 9) Gemini (Zones 6 to 9) Hot Cocoa (Zones 6 to 10) Julia Child (Zones 5 to 10) Opening Night (Zones 7 to 10)Midwest/Mountain Planting time: April through June, October and November*Old-fashioned shrub roses are best for this region’s cold winter, blustery spring, brutal summer heat, and challenging soils. Roses have to be hardy with tough, thick leaves to survive the extremes of temperature and resist drying out. Plant in a sheltered location, away from winds, in heavily amended soil. Mulch with 3 to 4 inches of pine needles, shredded cedar bark, or other rough organic mulch to resist wind scattering. Irrigate regularly to keep soil moist. In the coldest winter climates, protect hybrid tea roses with the Minnesota tip method: Dig a trench long enough to accommodate the canes, loosen the roots on the side opposite the trench, lay the rose down, and cover with soil. Water and mulch when the soil freezes.Best roses for the region:Carefree Delight (Zones 4 to 9) Carefree Wonder (Zones 4 to 9) Crimson Bouquet (Zones 5 to 9) Eureka (Zones 4 to 10) Scentimental (Zones 6 to 9) Peaches ‘n’ Cream (Zones 4 to 10) White Dawn (Zones 5 to 9)Northeast Planting time: April through June, October and November*Winter and spring temperatures can fluctuate over 50°F in a single day. The new hardy, disease-resistant landscape roses and floribundas do best here. Wrap them with burlap in winter to protect from cold and drying winds. When temperatures go below 20°F, mound the base of grafted roses with 12 to 18 inches of soil, compost, or finely shredded bark. Remove the mulch and burlap in spring. Roses will be in full bloom by June, then slow down or go dormant in intense July and August heat. They will come back in September when the weather cools.Best roses for the region: America (Zones 5 to 9) ‘New Dawn’ (Zones 5 to 9) Charisma (Zones 6 to 10) Evening Star (Zones 6 to 9 ) Buff Beauty (Zones 6 to 10) Peaches ‘n’ Cream (Zones 4 to 10) ‘Sir Thomas Lipton’ (Zones 4 to 9)Southeast Planting time: March through June, October and November*The region is hot and humid most of the year, so disease is a big problem. Most rain comes in winter and early spring, but violent thunderstorms can occur in summer through late fall. Roses start to bloom by Mother’s Day and continue through December. If soil is acidic and sandy, amend with compost and balance pH with lime. Cooler autumn temperatures can cause outbreaks of powdery mildew. Don’t waste time spraying fungicides late in the season; instead, collect infected leaves and put them in the garbage to interrupt the fungus’ life cycle. The best roses for this region are the new heat-tolerant and black-spot resistant varieties, which also offer improved repeat blooming.Best roses for the region: Altissimo (Zones 4 to 9) Knock Out (Zones 5 to 9) ‘New Dawn’ (Zones 5 to 9) ‘Queen Elizabeth’ (Zones 5 to 9) ‘Mister Lincoln’ (Zones 5 to 9) ‘Cécile Brunner’ (Zones 5 to 9) Memorial Day (Zones 7 to 10)*Don’t plant roses in any region in July, August, or September.

Design Tips for Decks, Porches and Patios

SuperUser Account — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:20:59 GMT

In the March/April 2009 issue, managing editor Glen O. Seibert showed how to transform your deck, porch, or patio into a beautiful transition zone between your home and garden. Need more inspiration? Try these ideas: Click on photos to enlarge.tiny space, big impactThe muted, complementary blue and brick red of the banister railing, French doors, and garden bench provide most of the color on this postage-stamp porch. The complex textures of the container coleus, grasses, and impatiens soften the structures’ hard lines and geometric forms. Icing on the cake comes from the black cast-iron “plant balcony” and pure white café chairs. This little landing would be right at home on New Orleans’ Bourbon Street.Photo by Glen O. Seibert. don't underestimate understatementIt’s all about texture with this intricate stone patio. Contrast comes from the precise structure and workmanship used on rough, native limestone. The simple mix of white and pink petunias in massive urns is mirrored in the small stone accent bowl, displayed between well-weathered silvery cedar chairs. Bordered with butterfly bush, Miscanthus grass, and old native oaks, this stony island enjoys total privacy.Photo by Glen O. Seibert. soften the edges This tiny porch has lots of straight lines and sharp angles. The unrelated sizes, colors, and shapes of the containers and their many different plants move the eye away from all that rigid geometry. Be careful, though: Eclectic mixes of materials and plants work well in smaller areas, but may be too much of a good thing in a larger garden.Photo by Glen O. Seibert. tree-house chicWho says outdoor living has to be primitive? A stainless steel grill, refrigerator, and loads of counter space create a gourmet kitchen in the trees. This outdoor bistro is ready to cater a lawn party or an intimate dinner for two. The super-shiny surfaces seem to disappear as they reflect the lush ferns, hostas, and other shade plants that surround them. The bright red café umbrellas give a pop of color to this shady glade and echo the warm hues of the rough-cut flagstone pavers. Photo by Tracy Walsh. the power of waterA stone patio virtually floats in this water garden, surrounded by a delightful combination of colors, textures, and sounds. There’s a whole world of aquatic plants to fill your garden. Water lilies and water hyacinth float lazily on the surface; papyrus, pickerel weed, and blue flag iris grow fully submerged but flower above the surface, along the water’s edge. All kinds of creatures are drawn to this lush habitat, turning the simple wicker chairs into front-row seats for an ever-changing parade of life.Photo by Tracy Walsh.

English Gardens: Favorite Vertical Plants

SuperUser Account — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:16:43 GMT

Formal English garden designs use bold lines. To achieve that same look in your garden, create straight paths and repeat the form in gates and plants. When a straight path is accented by vertical plants like the ones below, it gives the impression that the end is further away than it really is.• Buxus sempervirens ‘Graham Blandy’ (Zones 6 to 8) — a narrow boxwood that grows 10 feet tall. • Juniperus scopulorum ‘Skyrocket’ (Zones 2 to 8) — grows 20 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Another vertical cultivar, J. communis ‘Pencil Point’, grows 5 feet tall and 1 foot wide. • Picea omorika (Zones 4 to 8) — Serbian spruce is a large vertical tree that grows up to 60 feet tall and 25 feet wide. • Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ (Zones 4 to 8) — Deciduous tree that grows 60 feet tall and 15 feet wide. • Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’ (Zones 4 to 8) — Has deep green foliage. Grows 20 feet tall and 3 feet wide; takes shearing. • Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ (also ‘Emerald’) (Zones 3 to 8) — A single arborvitae makes a good accent; this cultivar grows 15 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

Pea Perfection

SuperUser Account — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:03:32 GMT

In the March/April 2009 issue of Gardening How-To magazine, we shared some of our favorite peas for home gardens. Here are even more tasty peas to try:Shelling peas – early-season varieties: • ‘Knight’ (57 days) One of the earliest large-podded varieties. Resistant to powdery mildew, wilt, and mosaics. Grows 2 feet tall. • Maestro (60 days) Heavy-yielding with good disease tolerance. Resistant to enation and powdery mildew. Grows 30 inches tall. • Premium (51 days) Extra-early variety with medium-sized peas. Grows 30 inches tall.Shelling peas – mid-season varieties: • Green Arrow (63 days) High yields of very sweet peas, up to 12 peas per pod with two pods per node. Grows 28 inches tall. • Lincoln (60 days) Old favorite, with delicious, sweet, small peas. Not as disease-resistant as more recent varieties, but tolerates warm weather. Grows 28 inches tall. Shelling peas – late-season varieties: • Alderman (74 days) Developed by Thomas Laxton over a century ago. Tallest shelling pea, with large pods containing eight to ten peas. Excellent fall crop. Grows 6 feet tall. • Wando (70 days) This traditional warm-weather pea also tolerates cold weather; superb for fall plantings. Produces well in the far North and the deep South. Grows 30 inches tall.Snow peas – early • Little Sweetie (60 days) Crisp pods with high sugar content; produces over a long period. Grows 16 inches tall. • Snow Green (59 days) Produces medium-size, crisp pods. Grows 28 inches tall. Snow peas – mid-season • Mammoth Melting Sugar (68 days) One of the sweetest, largest snow peas, with stringless pods nearly 6 inches long; can be prepared like snap beans. Wilt tolerant. Grows 5 feet tall.

Photo Contest 2010(2)

SuperUser Account — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:31:18 GMT

Enter the seventh annual National Home Gardening Club photo contest!We’re looking for your best garden photos: plant portraits, borders and beds, garden structures and ornaments, and other favorite scenes from your garden. Photos will be judged on composition, sharpness and focus, unusual and creative perspective, interesting subject matter, and appealing color and texture.2009 Winner: "Bee on Aster" by Life Member Connie Willmon; Oregon City, OR Here's what you could win:First Prize: Padded sling double glider from Mallin. Value: $1225 Second Prize: Propane-powered Eco-Trimmer from Lehr Inc. Value: $200 Third Prize: 30-inch self-watering planter from Lechuza. Value: $125 Honorable Mention: Patio lantern and handheld appliance from ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent. Value: $58 Submissions• Send no more than three photos per member. • We accept color slides (original 35 mm or larger), high-quality prints, and digital images. • With each print, slide, or digital image, please include your name, address, daytime phone number, and member number. Describe the people in the photo (if any) and their relationship to you, and provide common and botanical names (if known) for all plants. Please label each slide or print clearly; do not tape them together. • Photos must be of your own garden (not public parks or gardens) and must be taken by you. • Send entries, postmarked or e-mailed on or before July 1, 2010, to: National Home Gardening Club Garden Photo Contest 12301 Whitewater Dr. Minnetonka, MN 55343-2138 To submit digital photos, go to www.gardeningclub.com/photoentry and follow the instructions. • We regret that we cannot return any materials or acknowledge receipt of entries.Guidelines for digital photos• Guidelines for digital photos • Digital photos must be shot at the highest resolution possible, using a 2.5 megapixel camera or higher, and formatted as a JPEG. • If you print out digital photos, use high-quality photographic paper. Print photo 5 by 7 inches or larger. • If you send a CD, please label CD and case. • Do not send digitally compressed or “zipped” photos. • Do not e-mail photos. To submit digital photos, go to www.gardeningclub.com/photoentry.Photo guidelines and tips• Gardens photograph best in early morning, late afternoon, or on hazy days. Avoid shooting in bright sunlight. • Use a tripod for sharp focus. • Don’t include distracting elements, such as stray garden hoses or garbage cans, in the photograph. • Don’t use special effects or shapes in cropping, and make sure your camera’s time/date stamp is turned off.Official RulesOpen to members of the National Home Gardening Club (NHGC). No additional purchase is necessary. Employees of NHGC, Mallin, Lehr, Inc., Lechuza, ThermaCell, their affiliates, subsidiaries, agencies, and suppliers and the families of each are not eligible. Void in PR, Quebec, and where prohibited by law. Entries must be postmarked or e-mailed on or before 7/1/10. No responsibility is assumed for lost, late, damaged, illegible, postage-due, or misdirected entries. All photos become the property of NHGC and will not be returned or acknowledged. Photos will be judged on composition, sharpness and focus, unusual and creative perspective, interesting subject matter, and color and texture. The judges reserve the right to adjust and modify photos prior to publication. NHGC judges' decisions concerning all matters related to this contest are final. Winners will be selected on or about 8/2/10. Winners will be notified by mail on or about 8/6/10. Winners will be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility, liability release, and publicity release. Submission of an entry and/or acceptance of a prize grants NHGC the exclusive, perpetual right to publish, use, edit, adapt, modify, and/or copy the entry for any and all purposes in any and all media currently in existence or hereafter invented without further compensation to entrant/winner. All taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner. Winner releases NHGC and sponsors from any liability arising out of participation in this contest. Winner grants to NHGC the right to use his/her name, photograph, likeness, and biographical information in advertising and promotion without compensation or permission except in TN or where prohibited by law. Winners' names and photos will be published in Gardening How-To magazine at the NHGC's sole discretion. For a list of the winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Garden Photo Contest at address listed above by 12/31/10.

New Varieties 2009

SuperUser Account — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:04:32 GMT

In the January/February 2009 issue of Gardening How-To, we gave you a sneak preview of the year’s best new plants. Here’s a larger list of recent introductions. Try a few in your garden this year! (If you’re searching for more information and don’t find a particular plant on the Web site we’ve given, don’t despair: Some varieties are so new they’re not even listed in catalogs yet. Check again in a few months.)ANNUALS Sutera Copa ‘Double Blue’ Early, big, and double—you can’t ask for more than that. Frilly double flowers of pale lavender show up early on this variety and last through the season. Full or part sun. Grows 6 inches tall. Source: Local garden centers. Begonia Mandalay ‘Pearl’One of two new tuberous begonias in the Mandalay series. Shimmering white ‘Pearl’ and bright pink ‘Flamingo’ join orange ‘Mandarin’. Exceptionally heat-tolerant with a graceful, cascading habit that’s perfect in hanging baskets or containers. Grows 12 inches. Source: See store locator at www.provenwinners.com. Dahlia ‘Rebecca’s World’ Extraordinary semi-cactus-form flowers open deep red, then gradually fade to white from mid- to late summer. Very floriferous: one plant will have blooms in all stages of color. Grows 30 to 36 inches tall. Perennial in Zones 8 to 10; in colder zones, store tubers inside over winter. Source: Dutch Gardens, 888-821-0448, www.dutchgardens.com. Lathyrus odoratus ‘Zinfandel’ The These extra early, ruffled blossoms offer rich shades of burgundy and the scent of orange blossoms and honey. Excellent for cut flowers. Grows 72 to 84 inches tall. Source: Renee’s Garden Seeds, 888-880-7228, www.reneesgarden.com. Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherry Brandy’ The first red-flowered rudbeckia from seed. Terrific planted in drifts or used as cut flowers. The dense, bushy plants produce masses of stems topped by cherry red, daisy-like flowers with chocolate centers. Grows 24 inches tall. Perennial in Zones 7 to 9. Source: Thompson and Morgan, 800-274-7333, www.thompson-morgan.com. Viola cornuta ‘Rain Blue and Purple’ The cheery blooms on this pretty annual change color as they mature. At any one time you’ll have a pool of blue, purple, and white cascading over your pot or basket. All-America Selections winner for 2009. Grows 6 inches tall and 10 to 14 inches wide. Source: Local garden centers. PERENNIALSArisaema peninsulae ‘Uulong Treasure’ This handsome jack-in-the-pulpit was discovered in Korea. Dark purple stems, variegated leaves, and flowers with black and light stripes combine in an irresistible package. Grows 3 feet tall. Zones 5 to 8. Source: Plant Delights Nursery, 919-772-4794, www.plantdelights.com. Paeonia ‘Julia Rose’Vigorous and disease resistant like a tree peony, with the long life of an herbaceous peony. Peach-pink ‘Julia Rose’ adds her spicy scent and prodigious blooming to the famous Toichi Itoh collection. Grows to 36 inches. Zones 4 to 8. Sources: See store locator at www.monrovia.com. Symphiotrichum ‘Pink Henry III’Chase away the autumn blues with these bright pink asters. Double 1½-inch blooms open in early fall. Grows 15 to 22 inches tall. Zones 5 to 6. Source: Local garden centers. Lavandula angustifolia ‘White Ice’ All the good things about lavender—the sweet scent, the soft green-gray leaves, the tidy shape—are here, along with a dramatic twist: white flower bracts. Needs good drainage; dislikes high humidity. Grows 12 to 14 inches tall. Zones 5 to 9. Source: Renee’s Garden Seeds, 888-880-7228, www.reneesgarden.com. ROSESRosa ‘JACmearo’ Sweetness 2009 Rose of the Year winner! Soft lavender color and intoxicating, sweet-lemon fragrance make this grandiflora tea rose the belle of the garden. Upright and well-branched, it grows 60 inches tall. Zones 5 to 9. Source: Jackson and Perkins, 800-929-4769, www.jacksonandperkins.com. Rosa ‘BAIage’ High VoltageElectrifying medium yellow double flowers on disease-free foliage make a shockingly beautiful addition to the garden or in a container. This low-maintenance shrub rose, part of the Easy Elegance series, grows 36 to 60 inches tall. Zones 4 to 9. Source: See store locator at www.easyelegancerose.com. EDIBLES Beet ‘Chioggia Guardsmark’Bull’s eye! The colorful red and white rings and peppery-sweet taste of these unique roots will get the kids to eat their beets. Harvest in 60 days. Source: Local garden centers. Spinach ‘El Grinta’Rich, deep green color; thick, robust leaves; and quick maturity make this slow-bolting spinach an excellent addition to cool spring and summer salads. Harvest in 25 to 30 days. Source: Local garden centers. Corn ‘Oaxacan Green’ Intriguing green kernels on this dent corn add something special to fall decorations. Stalks grow 7 feet tall; ears are 6 to 10 inches. Harvest in 95 days. Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds, 877-564-6697, www.johnnyseeds.com. Pumpkin ‘Dakota’Pumpkin pies start here: on 12-foot vines that produce lots of 7- to 8-pound sugar pie pumpkins. And they’re cute, too! Harvest in 95 days. Source: Local garden centers. Tomato ‘Tomatoberry’Take the shape of a strawberry and the taste and color of a cherry tomato, and you’ve got this fantastic little fruit. Collect handfuls of 1-inch bright red fruits from tall, high-yielding vines. Harvest in 80 days. Source: Local garden centers.WOODIES Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailday’ Light-O-Day Now Zone 5 gardeners can have the show-stopping brilliance of a smaller variegated hydrangea. With its large pink or blue lacecap blossoms ringed in pure white, this compact attention grabber is perfect for borders and containers. It does well in part shade, and in full sun it’s stunning. Grows 36 to 60 inches tall. Zones 5 to 9. Source: See store locator at www.baileynurseries.com. Prunus serrulata ‘Taizo’ Angel’s Blush If flowering cherry trees are spring’s way of throwing a party in your yard, Angel’s Blush is the best party you’ve ever been to. Branches are covered with pink buds, which open to double white flowers with up to 30 petals each. Grows 6 feet tall and wide. Zones 5 to 9. Source: See Monrovia store locator at www.monrovia.com. Buddleia Lo & Behold ‘Blue Chip’Shrub lovers stuck in postage-stamp yards will cheer for this miniature butterfly bush, which grows only 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. It’s fragrant, it’s not invasive, and it needs no pruning. Zones 5 to 9. Source: See Proven Winners store locator at www.provenwinners.com.

Web Resource Guide January February 2009

SuperUser Account — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:25:41 GMT

Web Resource Guide January/February 2009Garden Variety, page 6Source for snow crocuses:Dutch Gardens, 888-821-0448, www.dutchgardens.com.Garden Spot:Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, 818-949-4200, www.descansogardens.org. Expert Advice, page 10For more information on companion planting and intensive planting:The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible by Edward C. Smith, Storey Books, 2000.All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew, Cool Springs Press, 2005. Design Basics, page 14P. Allen Smith Garden Home, www.pallensmith.com (click on Must Have Mail Order Catalogs). Site Specific, page 16Resources for Southeast:Nurseries Caroliniana, North Augusta, SC, 803-279-2707, www.nurcar.com Lazy S’s Farm Nursery, Barboursville, VA, www.lazyssfarm.com Resources for Southwest:Touch of Nature, Lawrenceville, GA, 770-237-0993, www.touchofnature.com High Country Gardens, Santa Fe, NM, 800-925-9387, www.highcountrygardens.com Resources for Pacific Northwest:Forestfarm, William, OR, 541-846-7269, www.forestfarm.com Gossler Farm, Springfield, OR, 541-746-3922, www.gosslerfarms.com Resources for Midwest/Mountain:Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, Gloucester, VA, 804-693-3966, www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com Resources for Northeast:Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, Salem, OR, 800-525-2367, www.schreinersgardens.com Chuck Chapman Iris, Guelph, Ontario, 519-856-4424, www.chapmaniris.com Grow Your Own Groceries, page 20For more information on preserving produce:Ball & Kerr Canning Supplies, Daleville, IN, 800-240-3340, www.freshpreserving.com /pages/home/1.php. New Varieties, page 30Nurseries, retailers, and mailorder sources:David Austin Roses, Tyler, TX, 800-328-8893, www.davidaustinroses.com Dominion Seed House, Georgetown, Ontario, 800-784-3037, www.dominion-seed-house.com Dutch Gardens, Burlington, VT, 888-821-0448, www.dutchgardens.com E&R Seed Co., Monroe, IN, 260-692-6827.Earl May Seed & Nursery, Shenandoah, IA, 712-246-1020, www.earlmay.com Garden Crossings, Zeeland, MI, 616-875-6355, www.gardencrossings.com Harris Seeds, Rochester, NY, 800-544-7938, www.harrisseeds.com J. W. Jung Seed Co., Randolph, WI, 800-297-3123, www.jungseed.com Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Winslow, ME, 877-564-6697, www.johnnyseeds.com Meyer Seed Co., Baltimore, MD, 410-342-4224.Nichols Garden Nursery, Albany, OR, 800-422-3985, www.nicholsgardennursery.com Otis S. Twilley Seed Co., Hodges, SC, 800-622-7333, www.twilleyseed.com Park Seed Co., Greenwood, SC, 800-213-0076, www.parkseed.com Renee’s Garden Seeds, Felton, CA, 888-880-7228, www.reneesgarden.com Stokes Seeds, Buffalo, NY, 800-396-9238, www.stokeseeds.com Territorial Seed Co., Cottage Grove, OR, 800-626-0866, www.territorialseed.com Thompson & Morgan Seedsmen, Inc., Jackson, NJ, 800-274-7333, www.tmseeds.com Tomato Growers Supply Co., Fort Myers, FL, 888-478-7333, www.tomatogrowers.com W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Warminster, PA, 800-333-5808, www.burpee.com Wayside Gardens, Hodges, SC, 800-213-0379, www.waysidegardens.com Store locators:To find plants from a specific company, go to the sites below and enter your ZIP code in the store locator (sometimes called a retail locator or simply “where to buy”) for a list of local garden centers that are likely to carry the plant. All-America Rose Selections, www.rose.org.Bailey Nurseries, www.baileynurseries.com Blooms of Bressingham, www.bobna.com Forever & Ever Hydrangea, www.foreverhydrangea.com Monrovia, www.monrovia.com Perennial Resource, www.perennialresource.com Proven Winners, www.provenwinners.com Terra Nova Nurseries, www.terranovanurseries.com Tool Shop, page 42Sources for hoses:Dramm, Manitowoc, WI, 920-684-0227, www.dramm.com.Gardeners Supply, Burlington, VT, 888-833-1412, www.gardeners.comGemplers, Madison, WI, 800-382-8473, www.gemplers.com Lee Valley Tool, Ogdensburg, NY, 800-871-8158, www.leevalley.com

Member Tips: New Year’s Resolutions

SuperUser Account — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:53:57 GMT

I’m going to try all kinds of new and different seeds this year, as well as my tried and true favorites. ?Susan Avery, Superior, MT.I resolve to always protect my hands with garden gloves, even if I’m only going to deadhead a few flowers or pick some vegetables. ?Barbara Stanley, Augusta, GA.Let it be! No new beds, just a few new plants. I’ve been building my beautiful garden for 10 years, so in 2009 I’m going to take some time to regroup and just enjoy it for a while. ?Lynda Rettick, Bloomington, ILI’m going to trade more plants and seeds with friends from all over the country. ?Noreen Ingle, Lakeville, INI’m getting a power tiller. I never want to hand-till my garden again.?John Bailey, Tallahassee, FLMy resolution is to build a wood and wire structure over my entire garden to keep out my thieving chickens. ?Chrissy Woodward, West Fork, AR.

2009 New Varieties

SuperUser Account — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:31:25 GMT

AnnualsSutera Copa ‘Double Blue’Early, big, and double—you can’t ask for more than that. Frilly double flowers of pale lavender show up early on this variety and last through the season. Full or part sun. Grows 6 inches tall. Source: Local garden centers. Begonia Mandalay ‘Pearl’One of two new tuberous begonias in the Mandalay series. Shimmering white ‘Pearl’ and bright pink ‘Flamingo’ join orange ‘Mandarin’. Exceptionally heat-tolerant with a graceful, cascading habit that’s perfect in hanging baskets or containers. Grows 12 inches. Source: See store locator at www.provenwinners.com. Dahlia ‘Rebecca’s World’Extraordinary semi-cactus-form flowers open deep red, then gradually fade to white from mid- to late summer. Very floriferous: one plant will have blooms in all stages of color. Grows 30 to 36 inches tall. Perennial in Zones 8 to 10; in colder zones, store tubers inside over winter. Source: Dutch Gardens, 888-821-0448, www.dutchgardens.com. Lathyrus odoratus ‘Zinfandel’These extra early, ruffled blossoms offer rich shades of burgundy and the scent of orange blossoms and honey. Excellent for cut flowers. Grows 72 to 84 inches tall. Source: Renee’s Garden Seeds, 888-880-7228, www.reneesgarden.com. Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherry Brandy’The first red-flowered rudbeckia from seed. Terrific planted in drifts or used as cut flowers. The dense, bushy plants produce masses of stems topped by cherry red, daisy-like flowers with chocolate centers. Grows 24 inches tall. Perennial in Zones 7 to 9. Source: Thompson and Morgan, 800-274-7333, www.thompson-morgan.com.Viola cornuta ‘Rain Blue and Purple’The cheery blooms on this pretty annual change color as they mature. At any one time you’ll have a pool of blue, purple, and white cascading over your pot or basket. All-America Selections winner for 2009. Grows 6 inches tall and 10 to 14 inches wide. Source: Local garden centers. PerennialsArisaema peninsulae ‘Uulong Treasure’This handsome jack-in-the-pulpit was discovered in Korea. Dark purple stems, variegated leaves, and flowers with black and light stripes combine in an irresistible package. Grows 3 feet tall. Zones 5 to 8. Source: Plant Delights Nursery, 919-772-4794, www.plantdelights.com.Paeonia ‘Julia Rose’Vigorous and disease resistant like a tree peony, with the long life of an herbaceous peony. Peach-pink ‘Julia Rose’ adds her spicy scent and prodigious blooming to the famous Toichi Itoh collection. Grows to 36 inches. Zones 4 to 8. Sources: See store locator at www.monrovia.com.Symphiotrichum ‘Pink Henry III’Chase away the autumn blues with these bright pink asters. Double 1½-inch blooms open in early fall. Grows 15 to 22 inches tall. Zones 5 to 6. Source: Local garden centers. Lavandula angustifolia ‘White Ice’All the good things about lavender—the sweet scent, the soft green-gray leaves, the tidy shape—are here, along with a dramatic twist: white flower bracts. Needs good drainage; dislikes high humidity. Grows 12 to 14 inches tall. Zones 5 to 9. Source: Renee’s Garden Seeds, 888-880-7228, www.reneesgarden.com. Edibles Beet ‘Chioggia Guardsmark’Bull’s eye! The colorful red and white rings and peppery-sweet taste of these unique roots will get the kids to eat their beets. Harvest in 60 days. Source: Local garden centers. Spinach ‘El Grinta’Rich, deep green color; thick, robust leaves; and quick maturity make this slow-bolting spinach an excellent addition to cool spring and summer salads. Harvest in 25 to 30 days. Source: Local garden centers. Corn ‘Oaxacan Green’Intriguing green kernels on this dent corn add something special to fall decorations. Stalks grow 7 feet tall; ears are 6 to 10 inches. Harvest in 95 days. Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds, 877-564-6697, www.johnnyseeds.com. Pumpkin ‘Dakota’Pumpkin pies start here: on 12-foot vines that produce lots of 7- to 8-pound sugar pie pumpkins. And they’re cute, too! Harvest in 95 days. Source: Local garden centers. Tomato ‘Tomatoberry’ Take the shape of a strawberry and the taste and color of a cherry tomato, and you’ve got this fantastic little fruit. Collect handfuls of 1-inch bright red fruits from tall, high-yielding vines. Harvest in 80 days. Source: Local garden centers. RosesRosa ‘JACmearo’ Sweetness2009 Rose of the Year winner! Soft lavender color and intoxicating, sweet-lemon fragrance make this grandiflora tea rose the belle of the garden. Upright and well-branched, it grows 60 inches tall. Zones 5 to 9. Source: Jackson and Perkins, 800-929-4769, www.jacksonandperkins.com. Rosa ‘BAIage’ High VoltageElectrifying medium yellow double flowers on disease-free foliage make a shockingly beautiful addition to the garden or in a container. This low-maintenance shrub rose, part of the Easy Elegance series, grows 36 to 60 inches tall. Zones 4 to 9. Source: See store locator at www.easyelegancerose.com. WoodiesHydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailday’ Light-O-DayNow Zone 5 gardeners can have the show-stopping brilliance of a smaller variegated hydrangea. With its large pink or blue lacecap blossoms ringed in pure white, this compact attention grabber is perfect for borders and containers. It does well in part shade, and in full sun it’s stunning. Grows 36 to 60 inches tall. Zones 5 to 9. Source: See store locator at www.baileynurseries.com.Prunus serrulata ‘Taizo’ Angel’s BlushIf flowering cherry trees are spring’s way of throwing a party in your yard, Angel’s Blush is the best party you’ve ever been to. Branches are covered with pink buds, which open to double white flowers with up to 30 petals each. Grows 6 feet tall and wide. Zones 5 to 9. Source: See Monrovia store locator at www.monrovia.com. Buddleia Lo & Behold ‘Blue Chip’Shrub lovers stuck in postage-stamp yards will cheer for this miniature butterfly bush, which grows only 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. It’s fragrant, it’s not invasive, and it needs no pruning. Zones 5 to 9. Source: See Proven Winners store locator at www.provenwinners.com.

2008 Photo Contest Finalists

SuperUser Account — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:43:07 GMT

Enjoy some of our favorite entries from the 2008 Photo Contest! Barn in autumn by Member Carol Parton, Marion, IL Patio garden by Member Burt Cross, St. Augustine, FL Field of irises by Member Sandra Stacy, Columbus, IN Luna moth and artichoke by Life Member Pilar Sanchez, Moab, UT Crocus buds by Member Donalyn Ketchum, Berkshire, NY Green strawberries by Member Christina Nelson, Four Oaks, NC Blue flax flowers by Member Gale Wall, Hutchinson, KS Morning dew on purple fountain grass by Life Member Eileen Heveron, San Diego, CA Decorative onion flower buds by Life Member Diana Dumitru, Fairview Park, OH Iris and barbed wire composition by Member Bernadine Lloyd, Topeka, KS

Web Links November/December 2008

SuperUser Account — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:01:43 GMT

Web Resources November/December 2008Product Pick: For a list of authorized dealers who sell the artisan suet bird feeder: Whitehall Products, Whitehall, MI, 800-728-2164. To buy the feeder online: Touch of Class, www.touchofclass.com.Garden Spot: Portland Classical Chinese Garden, Portland, OR, 503-228-8131, www.portlandchinesegarden.org.Resources for Southeast:Plant Delights Nursery, Raleigh, NC, 919-772-4794, www.plantdelights.com. Wilkerson Mill Gardens, Palmetto, GA, 770-463-2400, www.hydrangea.com. Woodlanders, Aiken, SC, 803-648-7522, www.woodlanders.net.Resources for Northeast:Wayside Gardens, Hodges, SC, 800-213-0379, www.waysidegardens.com.Resources for Southwest:For Rhus aromatica: High Country Gardens, Santa Fe, NM, 800-925-9387, www.highcountrygardens.com. For Picea glauca: Waterloo Gardens, Devon, PA, 610-293-0800, www.waterloogardens.com.Resources for Pacific Northwest:See Mahonia ‘Arthur Menzies’ and hardy cyclamen at: Joseph A. Witt Winter Garden, Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, WA, 206-543-8800, www.depts.washington.edu/wpa.Resources for Mountain/Midwest:Joy Creek Nursery, Scappoose, OR, 503-543-7474, www.joycreek.com.The Garden in Winter:For more information on The Garden in Winter by Suzy Bales: Rodale, Emmaus, PA, 610-967-5171, and New York, NY, 212-697-2040, www.rodale.com.Sources for plants with a tropical look:Brent & Becky’s Bulbs, Gloucester, VA, 804-693-3966, www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com. Logee’s Greenhouses, Danielson, CT, 888-330-8038, www.logees.com. Plant Delights Nursery, Raleigh, NC, 919-772-4794, www.plantdelights.com. Stokes Tropicals, Jeanerette, LA, 800-624-9706, www.stokestropicals.com. The Banana Tree, Easton, PA, 610-253-9589, www.banana-tree.com.

November/December 2008 Member Forum

SuperUser Account — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:42:23 GMT

What’s the best gardening gift you’ve received?power of friendship For my 45th birthday, my wife gave me cushioned knee pads. They’re good for working on soil, wood, asphalt, and even concrete. They fit so well and are so comfortable that I’ve forgotten I’m even wearing them—once, I even wore them to the grocery store.—Greg Cariglia, Mansfield Center, CTheavy hauler My best gift is a large metal garden cart. Hauling mulch takes fewer trips because it holds about five times the amount a wheelbarrow can.—Jean Anderson, Bradley, SCgarage sale green My dad built me a potting table using an old aluminum sink. It’s the perfect height. I put a pot under one drain hole to catch potting soil and a bucket under the other to recycle water. It’s worth a million dollars to me!—Michelle Bonner, Tyler, TXall-in-one efficiency With my multi-purpose garden knife, I can dig holes, cut roots, and transplant easily, all with one tool. My days in the garden are now less about work and more about enjoying myself.—Jeremy Pardo, Monsey, NYthanks for the memories The best gifts are items of garden art I’ve received over the years from vacationing friends and neighbors. I place them throughout my garden and treasure each piece. —Sara E. Bupp, York, PA warm glow Janet, my best friend, gave me a fire pit. When I light it, it reminds me of years ago, when we would sit around our campfire at night after we finally got the kids to fall asleep!—Lorraine Boisse, Smithfield, RIliving gift keeps giving Instead of buying cut roses that would die, my husband bought me enough rose bushes to make an entire rose garden. Now I will have his beautiful roses for life. —Julia Jester, Glencoe, ARfriendship power After a back injury, I wasn’t able to garden. So my friend Dan bought me a lightweight little power tiller. It’s been four years, and that tiller is still my joy. It’s let me keep gardening.—Dolly Koch, Oxford, AR more than bargained for I love Chinese wisteria, and my husband bought a couple on sale for $5 each. He was shocked when I told him they can grow up to 30 inches tall and need support from a sturdy arbor. My $10 plants managed to get me a beautiful $300 arbor for my front yard!—Dana Jones, Washington, IN shovelful of memories My best garden gift was my father’s old gardening spade. He once had to replace the wooden handle, but otherwise the tool had been in use for over half a century. He passed it on to me, and I’m still using it 15 years later.—Marilyn Lytle, McKinleyville, CArecording the years The best gift was a gardening journal from my mother. It has places for daily notes as well as a plant inventory list and a place where you can document harvests.—Charlene Derhammer, Cheboygan, MI

November/December 2008 Member Tips

SuperUser Account — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:34:07 GMT

everything goes in I keep a garden journal with notes and dates about what I plant, when, and results. This helps me decide if I want to try it again next year. I also add spraying dates for fruit trees, pruning dates for shrubs, and rain dates and amounts. I take pictures of my blooming shrubs and perennials and print them out on regular paper to help me remember where they are and what they look like.?Betty A. Elbracht, Howells, NE details, details I use a regular lined page journal and keep it in an open place during the summer. I record the dates we plant, what we plant, and how much. I also record the places, times, prices, and quantities of the produce I purchase to preserve, as well as the amounts I preserve of either purchased or home grown produce. I will also record the amounts we eat fresh. Then I have an idea of how much to plant or purchase the following summer.? Mrs. Thomas Lapp, August, WV big plans I have an English-style garden that covers about 4 acres, plus a 3-acre pond and a 1-acre front yard. I am always testing perennials that will grow in clay soil, provide color, need little care, and tolerate drought conditions. So I really need a plan from year to year. By using a spreadsheet, I can keep track of flowers I have tried. I am also able to keep my seasonal color pattern in mind as I add new plants.?Rachel Wicker, Murray, KY remember this I purchased a book type journal and I make sporadic entries. The most helpful ones to me are reminders on what to do next year. I also make notes on progress, including dates. I tape in a few pictures of how the garden or a container looked at a particular time as a reference for next year.?Colleen Gengler, Iona, MN

Member Garden - Jill Thens

SuperUser Account — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:59:24 GMT

In our November/December issue, Member Jill Thens described how her family has learned to live with the deer and other wildlife on their property. Here are more photos of their garden and the animals that stop by to visit.

November/December 2008 Cover Poll

SuperUser Account — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:04:58 GMT

Help us choose our next cover! Please select the cover you like best, and click here to send us an e-mail telling us why you chose one cover over the other.Note: The colors of the words on the cover might change, so please don’t vote on that basis. We’re most interested in knowing which image is most appealing to you. Fill out my Wufoo form!

MemberGarden

SuperUser Account — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:49:26 GMT

What's Your Garden Story?Send your 500-word essay to:Member GardenGardening How-ToP.O. Box 3416 Minnetonka, MN 55343 Or e-mail submissions to elizabeth@gardeningclub.comPlease include your name, address, daytime phone number, member number, and at least one clear color photograph (not photocopy) of you in your garden. We’ll pay $200 for stories we publish.Sorry, we can’t acknowledge or return submissions.

HomeGrown

SuperUser Account — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:34:45 GMT

PHOTO CALL!We love to see what's growing in your garden. Send sharp, clear photographs (not photocopies) with your name, address, phone number, member number, and the names and relationship of anyone pictured to:Home GrownGardening How-ToP.O. Box 3416 Minnetonka, MN 55343. We can’t acknowledge or return submissions.

Web Links September/October 2008

SuperUser Account — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:28:35 GMT

Web Resources September/October 2008Sources for milkweed: Annie’s Annuals, Richmond, CA, 888-266-4370, www.anniesannuals.com. Butterfly Encounters, San Ramon, CA, www.butterflyencounters.com Rose Franklin’s Perennials, Spring Mills, PA, 814-422-8968, www.butterflybushes.com/milkweed.htm.Pest Watch:Emerald Ash Borer info page, www.emeraldashborer.info (see Contact Info tab for phone numbers for your state).Remember 9/11: Remember Me rose garden, www.remember-me-rose.org. Bailey Nurseries, 800-829-8898, www.baileynurseries.com.Resources for Southwest: For Rosa rugosa: High Country Roses, Jensen, UT, 800-552-2082, www.highcountryroses.com.For Potentilla fruticosa:Wayside Gardens, Hodges, SC, 800-213-0379, www.waysidegardens.com.Resources for Pacific Northwest: Colvos Creek Nursery, Vashon Island, WA, 206-749-9508, www.colvoscreeknursery.com. Forestfarm, Williams, OR, 541-846-7269, www.forestfarm.com.Resources for Midwest/Mountain: For more information about daylilies: www.designerdaylily.com. Garden Crossings, Zeeland, MI, 616-875-6355, www.gardencrossings.com. Bluestone Perennials, Madison, OH, 800-852-5243, www.bluestoneperennials.com. Great Garden Plants (online ordering only), 877-447-4769, www.greatgardenplants.com.Resources for Northeast: White Flower Farm, Litchfield, CT, 800-503-9624, www.whiteflowerfarm.com. Digging Dog Nursery, Albion, CA, 707-937-1130, www.diggingdog.com.Resources for Southeast: For southern shield fern and ‘Color Guard’ yucca: Niche Gardens, Chapel Hill, NC, 919-967-0078, www.nichegardens.com. Plant Delights Nursery, Raleigh, NC, 919-772-4794, www.plantdelights.com.For mini-greenhouse sources:Charley’s Greenhouse and Garden, 800-322-4707, www.charleysgreenhouse.com. FlowerHouse, 810-686-8252, www.flowerhouses.com The Greenhouse Catalog, 800-825-1925, www.greenhousecatalog.com. Greenhouse Megastore, 888-281-9337, www.greenhousemegastore.com.

Fall Apple Recipes

SuperUser Account — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:49:54 GMT

Enjoy the fruit of the season—apples, in these four great recipes.Sautéed Apples, Onions, and Red CabbageThis is an excellent side dish with duck or pork.4 tart apples (such as Gravensteins), peeled and thinly sliced 2 onions, each cut in half, and then cut into thin slivers 1/2 head red cabbage, thinly shredded 2-4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar Butter, duck fat, bacon fat, or olive oil1) Preheat oven to 350ºF. Sauté apples, onions, and cabbage—separately—in a small amount of butter, duck fat, bacon fat, or olive oil. Sauté each just until cooked through. 2) After sautéing cabbage, add 2-4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar to the cabbage; it will turn a lovely pink color. 3) Place sautéed apples, onions, and cabbage in a large mixing bowl, toss lightly, and then empty into a baking pan. Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil; bake for 30 minutes in a 350ºF. oven. Serves six.Baked Apples á la Sally6 baking apples (such as Golden Delicious or Granny Smith) 6 teaspoons butter 6 teaspoons brown sugar or real maple syrup1) Preheat oven to 350ºF. Using a lemon zester or potato peeler, carve a design of your choice just through the skin of each apple. 2) Slice off the stem end of the apple. Using a melon baler or small sharp knife, carefully remove the core of each apple, creating a cavity (almost to the bottom of the apple). 3) Fill the cavity of each apple with a teaspoon (more or less) of butter, and brown sugar or maple syrup. Place the apples in a baking dish and cover loosely with foil. Place in a 350ºF. oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. 4) Baste the apples every 10 minutes or so while baking. Because different varieties of apples require different baking times, you’ll need to test them frequently for doneness. The apples will be done when they are tender all the way through, or when they can be pierced easily with the tip of a sharp knife.Apple and Cranberry Kuchen3-4 Gravenstein or Golden Delicious apples, peeled and sliced in medium-thick slices 6 tablespoons butter or shortening 3/4 cup sugar 1 egg 1 cup milk or light cream 1-1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1 cup fresh cranberries 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon1) Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place butter or shortening, sugar, and egg in a mixing bowl. Beat with a fork or electric mixer until mixture is creamed together. 2) Add milk or light cream to the creamed mixture and mix thoroughly. 3) In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture, 1/4 cup at a time, and blend thoroughly. 4) Grease a 10-inch pie pan. Spoon kuchen batter into the pie pan. 5) Arrange the apple slices, peeled side up, in a spoke design around the outside edge of the pie plate, pushing each slight slightly into the batter so it will stand up. Add a ring of cranberries inside the ring of apples, sprinkling a few on the outside edge, as well. 6) Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle mixture on top of the batter. 7) Place kuchen in a 350ºF. oven; cook for 40-45 minutes, or until center of the kuchen springs back when pressed lightly. 8) Remove from oven when done and allow to cool slightly. Serve in wedges, topped with Warm Cream Sauce (below) and a few fresh cranberries as a garnish.Warm Cream Sauce1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup sugar 2 cups cream1) Combine the three ingredients in a large, high-sided sauce pan. 2) Place pan over medium-high heat until mixture begins to boil, stirring constantly. 3) As the sauce begins to boil, it will bubble up the sides of the pan. Continue to stir constantly until the mixture has thickened slightly. 4) Once thickened, remove sauce from heat and let cool slightly. Pour into a small pitcher and serve at the table with the Apple and Cranberry Kuchen.Fresh Apple Salsa2 tart apples, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes 1/4 cup combination of apple cider vinegar and apple cider syrup (or substitute 1/4 cup fresh lime juice) 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped 1 hot red chile, seeded and finely chopped 1 Anaheim or other mild chile, seeded, and cut into small slivers 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and cut1) Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. 2) Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight, stirring occasionally.

September 2008 Member Garden Showcase

SuperUser Account — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:01:26 GMT

September member photos include a spiky cactus flower, a live garden fairy, a mama wren, and perfect pansies! Member Krista Langlais’ daughter, Jordyn, poses in her East Schodack, NY, garden. Member Dawn Macy of Lansdale, PA, watched this mama wren feeding her young. Water lilies float in Karie Johns’ pond in Zanesville, OH. A beautiful fern grows in Member Catherine Allison’s garden in Tualatin, OR. A ‘Roma’ Asiatic lily thrives in the garden of Life Member Jenny McDonald of Hillsborough, NC. Life Member Margaret Sydney of Waterford, CT, captured a photo of a toad in her coleus seedling pack. A prickly cactus blooms in the garden of Member Bill Romack of Nokomis, FL. A fawn rests in the backyard of Member Darla Woods of Georgetown, TX. Granddaughter Lyla is Member Marcia Barnhart’s garden fairy in her Powell, OH, garden. Perfect pansies line the garden of Member Holly Baumgartner in Springfield, MO. To EnterIf you'd like to see your photo posted on this page, e-mail it to Jenny Thompson, jthomps@namginc.com.com. (We accept only digital images.) Please include the following information in your e-mail: 1) Name, city, and state. 2) Tell us if you are a life member or a regular member. 3) Screen name if you use the NHGC bulletin board; and 4) Provide any details about the photo -- for example, plant names and how long you've had the garden. We need this for the photo caption. Please include details about why the photo is special. NOTE: Because of photo volume, we may not be able to post every photo submitted.

Me and My Tree

SuperUser Account — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:37:00 GMT

Members share their favorite trees. Weep no more I love the way the delicate limbs of the weeping willow (Salix babylonica) hang to the grass. My daughter, when she was young, called it a sweeping willow tree. My tree is huge and majestic and is probably more than 100 years old. —Marilyn Silvius, Lancaster, PA For the dogs Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is beautiful in spring, when it’s in full bloom, and has spectacular foliage and berries in fall and winter. I grow it from seed every year. —Peggy Bearnth, Coldspring, TX Sycamore memories When I was young, we vacationed in the Texas hill country where there were many sycamores (Platanus spp.). I remember their smell and the large, beautiful leaves and the white, peeling bark. Many pleasant memories are linked with these trees. —Cindy Westbrook, Gainesville, TX Purple pride When the leaves of the ‘Forest Pansy’ redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’) come out, they are a beautiful shade of purple and deep crimson. When the wind blows, those big leaves teeter on their stems; it’s like have a living mobile. —Margaretha Brooks, Lynchburg, VA Tasty favorite I love the pecan (Carya illinoinensis) because it’s a wonderful shade tree in the summer, and it helps make wonderful desserts, sweet breads, cookies, and brownies. Just ask my 9-year-old neighbor, Shelton, who asks me to make him pecan brownies. —Leta Kegg, Lubbock, TX Inspiring pine My favorite tree is any kind of pine (Pinus spp.). I enjoy this tree’s beauty all year round. Snow adds elegance and inspiration. Pines also protect birds in winter months. I enjoy scattering birdseed under the pines in winter to watch the birds enjoying a meal. —Sharon Linch, Parkersburg, WV Native beauties No tree compares to the tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera). It has shiny, deep green leaves and yellow-green and orange tulip flowers. When a child, I marked my birthday by the blooming of the tulip trees. Now I have two in my own backyard. I am blessed to live in the eastern United States where these gems are native. —Martha McKown, Newburgh, IN Sassy sassafras I had a sassafras tree (Sassafras spp.) in my yard several years ago. It heralded the coming of fall, as it was the first tree in the city to change colors. You could smell the citrus aroma if you stepped on a fallen branch. —Pattie Waschek, Elyria, OH

Regional Gardening Tips

SuperUser Account — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:19:25 GMT

Wonder what region you live in? See our map here or visit the Site Specific column in each issue of Gardening How-To.Pacific Northwest Southwest Midwest/Mountain Northeast SoutheastPacific Northwest • Compost lawn clippings and garden plants that are ready to be recycled. Do not use clippings if your lawn has been treated with herbicide, including “weed-and-feed” products. • Fertilize cucumbers, summer squash, and broccoli to maintain production while you continue harvesting. • Monitor garden irrigation closely so crops and ornamentals don’t dry out.Southwest • Check grass for grubs and fungus; use granular or liquid treatments if the problem is severe. Before treating lawn problems, talk to your local garden center or cooperative extension service to get an accurate diagnosis. • Strip tall sunflowers of their branches and leaves, and save them for next year—they make inexpensive trellises for peas and beans. • Plant new trees now while the soil is warm enough for roots to get established before winter. Trim off dead wood, but leave major pruning for January, when the trees are dormant.Midwest/Mountain • In times of drought, prolonged heat, or water restrictions, first water all newly planted trees and shrubs, newly planted perennials and vines, and newly sodded or seeded lawns. Annual plants should be the last on the list because they last only one season. • Allow dried flowerheads to remain standing for fall and winter interest, including astilbe, coneflower, and globe thistle. • The second half of August is best time to seed bare areas of lawn, overseed thinning grass, or lay down sod.Northeast • Gradually move houseplants that have been summering outdoors into shadier locations so they can prepare for lower light levels. Be sure to check for bugs before bringing plants indoors. • To reseed your lawn, apply fertilizer and lime (if needed), then apply seed. Rake lightly into the soil or carefully cover with a thin layer of topsoil. If you’re seeding a large bare area, apply a thin layer of straw over the lawn to prevent erosion and loss of seeds. • If you need to apply insecticides, fungicides, or fertilizers, resist the urge to apply them when the temperature is above 80°F.Southeast • Cut back poinsettias before the end of August to ensure good winter color. • Check container plants for dry soil and water when needed. Fertilize every other week with a soluble fertilizer. • Remove spent vegetables and flowers.

Regional Gardening Tips

SuperUser Account — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:13:46 GMT

Wonder what region you live in? See our map here or visit the “Site Specific” column in each issue of Gardening How-To.Pacific Northwest• Plant winter cover crops such as winter kale, Brussels sprouts, turnips, parsnips, parsley, and Chinese cabbage in vacant space around the vegetable garden. • Watch for corn earworm on early corn. Treat as needed. • Clean and fertilize strawberry beds.Southwest • Dethatch lawns early this month to allow time for the grass to recover before fall. • Cut back tomatoes to 1 foot tall to rejuvenate them and stimulate fruit production in the fall. • Fertilize citrus by applying 2 pounds of ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) fertilizer per tree on mature citrus. Water the fertilizer into the soil.Midwest/Mountain • Monitor for Japanese beetle damage. These iridescent insects skeletonize foliage, but will finish feeding by the second week in August. • Place small stakes in the garden bed where you plan to plant tulips, narcissus, lilies, alliums, and other fall-planted bulbs. • Divide and replant daylilies and install new plants at the end of this month.Northeast • Don’t apply insecticides, fungicides, or fertilizers when the temperature is above 80°F. You may do more harm than good. Always read and follow package instructions. • Deadhead (cut or pinch off dead flowers) on annuals and perennials for a longer bloom. • Take stock of your summer perennial garden, noting what changes you want to make. A good rule of thumb is to move spring bloomers in the fall and fall bloomers when they come up in the spring.Southeast • Check mulch around plants. Keep the level at 3 inches and away from stems and trunks. • Keep shallow-rooted plants such as azaleas, camellias, and dogwoods watered during dry periods. • Watch for yellowing leaves on plants, which could be a sign of iron deficiency. Apply liquid iron or minor elements according to label directions.

Web Links July/August 2008

SuperUser Account — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:16:55 GMT

Web Resources July/August 2008Garden Variety, page 10 Garden Spot: Reiman Gardens, Ames, IA, 515-294-7722, www.reimangardens.com. Plant Pick: Dee’s Gardens, Redding, CA, 530-604-4440, www.deesgardens.com. Garden Crossings, Zeeland, MI, 616-8756355, www.gardencrossings.com. Nature Hills Nursery, Omaha, NE, 402-9348116, www.naturehills.com.Site Specific, page 18 Resources for Northeast (sold as Chrysanthemum parthenium): Select Seeds Co., Union, CT 06076, 1-800684-0395, www.selectseeds.com. Stokes Seeds, Buffalo, NY, 716-695-6980, www.stokeseeds.com. Resources for Pacific Northwest: Forestfarm, Williams, OR, 541-846-7269, www.forestfarm.com. Joy Creek Nursery, Scappoose, OR, 503-5437474, www.joycreek.com.Resources for Midwest/Mountain: Bluestone Perennials, Madison, OH, 800852-5243, www.bluestoneperennials.com. Garden Crossings, Zeeland, MI, 616-8756355, www.gardencrossings.com. Resources for Southeast: Niche Gardens, Chapel Hill, NC, 919-9670078, www.nichegardens.com. Plant Delights Nursery, Raleigh, NC, 919772-4794, www.plantdelights.com. Resources for Southwest: Carroll Gardens, Westminster, MD, 800-638-6334, www.carrollgardens.com. High Country Gardens, Santa Fe, NM, 800-925-9387, www.highcountrygardens.com. White Flower Farm, Litchfield, CT, 800-503-9624, www.whiteflowerfarm.com. Quick and Easy Container Gardening, page 28 For more information on Quick and Easy Container Gardening by Tessa Evelegh: CICO Books, New York, NY, www.rylandpeters.com. UpClose, page 68 Sources for Dahlia ‘Caribbean Fantasy’: Netherland Bulb Co., Easton, PA, 800-788-8547, www.netherlandbulb.com. American Meadows, Williston, VT, 877-309-7333, www.americanmeadows.com.

What is the best garden gift you’ve received?

SuperUser Account — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:06:01 GMT

For gardeners, the best gifts are ones you can use in the garden—helpful tools, new plants, and even garden luxuries like outdoor art.What’s the best garden gift you’ve ever received? Who was it from, and what was special about it?Tell us about it in two to three sentences at forum@gardeningclub.com. Please include your first and last name, city and state, and member number. Winning responses will be featured in the November/December 2008 issue of Gardening How-To. Deadline is August 1.

Win a prize!

SuperUser Account — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:18:02 GMT

Many gardeners keep track of the plants they grow from year to year—when flowers bloom, whether or not certain vegetables thrive, and which annuals look best all summer long.Do you keep a garden journal? Is it on a computer spreadsheet, in a simple notebook, or do you have other creative ways to track your garden’s progress?In two or three sentences, describe your best tips for keeping a garden journal. Responses will be printed in the November/December 2008 issue of Gardening How-To magazine, and winners will receive a prize. Deadline is August 1.

Regional Gardening Tips

SuperUser Account — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:57:56 GMT

Wonder what region you live in? See our map here or visit the “Site Specific” column in each issue of Gardening How-To.Pacific Northwest• Make sure your climbing roses are securely tied into position. Prune them after they bloom. • Deadhead the developing seed pods from your rhododendrons and azaleas to improve next year’s bloom. Be careful not to damage next year’s buds, which may be hidden just below the pod. • Keep watch for damage caused by the four-lined plant bug, especially on plants in the mint family.Southwest • Give special attention to fertilizing and watering containers and hanging baskets. Soil in containers dries out quickly, so check daily. • When mowing and trimming weeds around trees, be careful not to make contact with the trees. Wounds created from lawn mowers and string trimmers allow borers and other insects to enter and become a problem. This is especially true for dogwoods, flowering peach, plum, and cherry trees. • Give your compost a turn.Midwest/Mountain• Fertilize roses at bud break, then each month during the growing season, or according to the package directions. Don’t fertilize roses after August 1. Fertilizing too late in the season makes the plant less winter hardy. • Give newly planted perennials 1 inch of water a week during the growing season, either from rain or through irrigation. • Garlic is a shallow-rooted plant, so water regularly (but not so much that the soil stays muddy) to ensure proper bulb development. If young plants don’t get enough water, they’ll become stressed and produce small bulbs prematurely.Northeast • Most tulips and hyacinths last only two to three years. Dig up and discard tulip and hyacinth bulbs that send up spindly leaves and stalks and few flowers. • Prune spring-blooming shrubs and trees, such as lilacs, forsythia, and crabapples, as soon as possible after bloom. • Inspect your irrigation system for damaged sprinkler heads, which waste water. Replace as needed.Southeast • Pick vegetables often, even if you don’t plan to use them immediately. Vegetables that aren’t harvested soon enough will produce a chemical that inhibits further blossoming. • Paint tree trunks with a light-colored indoor latex paint to prevent sunburn damage, which invites borers and fungus infections. Use an inexpensive brand, or thin down a more expensive one to a solution of half water and half paint. • Keep melon plants growing strongly throughout the season for best quality fruit. Almost half of a melon’s final sugar content develops during the last week of maturation, so stop irrigating then to concentrate the sugars.

What’s your favorite tree, and why?

SuperUser Account — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:47:48 GMT

Nothing adds beauty, structure, and value to your landscape like a tree. Whether you prefer a large maple tree that provides a cool summer canopy and colorful autumn display or an evergreen tree that provides year-round color, we’d like to hear about your favorite tree. Send your response to forum@gardeningclub.com. Please use both common names and botanical names, if possible. Include your first and last name, city and state, and member number. If we choose your entry, it will appear in the September/October 2008 issue of Gardening How-To. Deadline is June 1, 2008.

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What is the best garden gift you’ve received?

Win a prize!

Regional Gardening Tips

What’s your favorite tree, and why?