www.urbanhort.org HORTICULTURE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF FOREST RESOURCES SUMMER 2 0 0 2 2 AN EVENING WITH PETER RAVEN 8 CLASSES AND PROGRAMS 3 TESTING FOR THE PERFECT PERENNIAL YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS 1 1 4 NEWS FROM CUH 13 EVENTS CALENDAR 7 VOLUNTEER NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES IS REGISTRATION FORM Buy a Tile: Build a Lobby Here is an exciting way to contribute to the reconstruction ofMerrill Hall: Buy a tile and help us build the wonderful new lobby envisioned in this artist’s sketch. Designed by the award-winning architectural firm of Miller/Hull, this lobby will serve as a one-stop resource for the horticultural community. The space will be generous and light-filled, with a greenhouse roof. It will provide space for horticultural displays, a CUH information desk, and Master Gardener Diagnostic Clinic as well as serve as a gateway to the Miller Library and Hyde Herbarium. But this only happens with your support! The cost ofa new lobby is beyond the current budget and is not part ofthe replacement funding for Merrill Hall. ThreeTiles:Alder, Oak and Maple CUH is offering three types oftiles for the lobby floor. Each polished concrete tile will be engraved with a native tree leafand up to thirty characters oftext. This is an opportunity to join in creating a horticultural facility for the future, as well as to have your name, or that ofa friend or family member, become a permanent part of the new building. The tiles will be arranged in a pattern on the lobby floor as a perpetual reminder ofcommunity support for the Center for Urban Horticulture. For more information CUH, about this opportunity to support see the form on page 2. AN EVENING WITH PETER RAVEN: Our Saving the Plants, Securing Future § BENEFIT FORTHE CENTER FOR URBAN HORTICULTURE Dr. Peter Raven has served as director of the Missouri Botanical Garden for 30 years. His distinguished history ofachievement in botanical research and plant preservation includes receiving the National Medal ofScience award from the President ofthe United States in 2001. He is Chairman ofthe National Geographic Society’s Committee for Research and Exploration, Chairman ofthe American Association for the Advancement ofScience, and co-editor ofthe Flora ofChina, a joint Chinese-American project that is leading to a contemporary account ofall the plants ofChina. He has also authored numerous books and publications. Merrill Hall $250 $150 Donor Tiles | | bigleaf maple garry oak (Quercus garryana) (Acer macrophyllum) 6”x 12” 12” x 12” $85 Form red alder (Alnus rubra) Mail to: 6”x6” CUH DonorTiles - UW Box 3541 15 Words to appear on tile WA Seattle, 2002 98195-4115 Please print clearly, in capital letters. Max. 20 characters, including spaces, for alder SUMMER tile, max. 30 characters, including spaces, for oak and maple tiles. For an additional $25 you may add another line (30 characters for maple and oak tiles, 20 for alder) HORTICULTURE Check (payable to University ofWashington) VISA MASTER CARD NAME ON CARD CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE URBAN YOUR NAME FOR ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CENTER DAY PHONE EVENING PHONE E-MAIL ADDRESS Testing for the Perfect Perennial Ongoing plant trials at the Center for Urban report, including a definitive ranking ofthe BOBNA Horticulture are helping to determine what perennials, is sent to which uses the perennials are best suited for northwest backyards. results to educate nursery growers on how well the When strolling along the west end ofthe CUH plants can expect to perform in their growing area. grounds, three crescent-shaped perennial beds in full bloom will catch your eye. You may not realize that these plots represent one ofnine test sites Top-scoring perennials in 2001 (see photos around the United States with the results used to below) are sure bets to provide long-lasting color provide growing information to nurseries, and and interest in your northwest garden. Ail but ultimately, the home gardener. Geranium ‘Rozanne’ are available this year in local Blooms of Bressingham North America nurseries. Fook for Roz in the spring of2003. (BOBNA) is the North American arm ofBlooms ofBressingham, U.K., a network oftest sites, growers and distributors ofperennials throughout Geranium the world. Alan Bloom started the business in ‘Rozanne’ is a 1926 in southern England as an offshoot ofhis nonstop bloomer popular gardens. His son Adrian kept the garden- with bright blue 3 ing bug in the family and is now president of flowers. Blooms ofBressingham, U.K. Some floral favorites that bear the Blooms ofBressingham label include Geranium 'Ann Folkard’ and Fragaria ‘Pink Panda. Many of the perennials are bred in Great Britain, although a few such as the Fovely Fady Daylilies were discovered and bred in North America. Hemerocallis The cool temperate climate ofthe ‘Lady Lucille’ has northwest provides a unique growing environ- bright orange 6” ment for perennials. Thus the University of flowers with Washington was selected along with sites in yellow-gold Oregon, Georgia, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and midribs. five other states to evaluate how the perennials perform in different parts ofthe country. 2002 Criteria used in the evaluation ofthe SUMMER perennials include overall plant vigor, foliage quality, color and texture, flower color quality, Fragaria ‘Red bloom stalk strength, bloom display/floral impact, Ruby’ has dark HORTICULTURE and resistance to pests and diseases. pink blooms from CUH Barbara Selemon, plant propaga- April to October tor, designed the beds and assembles the team of and has a neat, CUH faculty, staffand students that participate compact growth URBAN habit. in the review process. Each plant is examined weekly, and given a rating between 1 and 5 for FOR each ofthe above criteria. Average ratings are photoscourtesyofBloomsofBressingham,Ltd. calculated over the course ofthe season which are CENTER summarized in the final report at year’s end. The CUH News from The ultimate Garden Auction for the library was held May 5, 2002, and the money NHS raised from this event went into a fund to buy furniture for the new library. Despite the chilly evening, 150 gathered to eat, drink and bid on an enticing array ofdesigner containers, special plant collections and one-of-a- kind garden events. Many thanks to NHS for investing in the library’s future. Ifyou’d like to contribute to the library furnishing fund, please call Librarians Val Easton or Brian Thompson at 206-543-0415. Please note the library’s summer hours: Monday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday: 9 CLOSED a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ON SATURDAYS in July and August. The library QUESTION: My landscaper planted 10 fish-tail website at www.millerlibrary.org\v2iS updated lists of ferns Nephrolepsis biserrata ‘Furcans’) in direct local plant sales and plant tours as well as links to a ( sunlight but they are failing. Is it right that they variety ofgardening resources. need sunlight? Continue to send your puzzling plant questions to the Miller Library Plant Answer Line. Here are a ANSWER: The RoyalHorticulturalSociety recent sampling ofsubmitted inquiries: Encyclopedia ofGarden Plants, ed. Christopher Brickell, v.2, 1996, p. 702 says “...Outdoors, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained humus-rich soil in partial shade.” QUESTION: Is there a non-toxic home remedy I can use for powdery mildew on roses? ANSWER: The recipe recommended by the Local QUESTION: Can you tell me where I can buy a Hazardous Waste Program ofKing County is 1 Begonia Sp. U254? My old one died. teaspoon baking soda mixed into quart ofwater. 1 Add a few drops ofliquid soap. Test the spray on a ANSWER: The “U254” means was an it few leaves to be sure they aren’t too sensitive. unregistered Begonia so, unfortunately, a Plant replacement will be available only by accident/luck. (Source: Begonias: The Complete Reference Guide, by Answer M.L.Thompson, 1981, p. 332.) QUESTION: We have a steep bank leading up to Line our house. At the bottom ofthe bank is a busy street. What trees are best to grow to hold the bank QUESTION: We The PlantAnswer Line is over time? are going to rip out a hillside open from 9 a.m. until 5 and small forest ofEnglish ivy. It can’t be p.m. Mondaythrough Friday. ANSWER: TheWashington state website at composted, so what should we do with it? UW Call PLANT, 206-897- www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/pubs/93-30/provides 5268, ore-mail your good answers for an explanation ofslope ANSWER: The website www.noivyleague.com question to: stabilization. It also has lists ofplants appropriate contains thorough explanations about control and hortlib(g)u.washington.edu for holding slopes. removal of English ivy. NEWS Sustainable Community Landscapes The Sustainable Community Landscapes (SCL) FROM consortium, under the direction ofDr. Linda Chalker-Scott, spent spring quarter working on a CUH landscape rehabilitation at Frink Park. Students worked alongside community members to clear a UW-Restoration Ecology Network sloped area along S. King Street ofinvasive species. Native species, including deer fern, snowberry, and The UW-Restoration Ecology Network (U-WREN) indian plum, were replanted at the site. To learn more serves as a center ofecological restoration and about these and other SCL projects, visit their conservation, integrating student, faculty and website at: www.cfr.washington.edu/research.mnlch/. community interests. As natural landscapes in the On August 15, the SCL consortium will be Pacific Northwest are rapidly becoming urbanized, sponsoring a symposium and discussion for regional there is a growing need for this effort. educators interested in sustainability issues. The goal Students in the three-term restoration ecology is to bring together groups from schools, course learn during the year how to plan, design, governmental agencies and non-profits to discuss install, and monitor a restoration project in a team their plant-science and sustainability programs and environment. The class is a joint effort between the UW opportunities for new partnerships. For more campuses in Seattle, Bothell, Tacoma and is information contact Angie Cahill at 206-543-6828. taught by Dr Kern Ewing and Dr. Warren Gold. Five sites were selected in the Puget Sound region, including Licton Springs Park, Union Bay Natural Area, Lawton Park, and Frink Park. The public can follow the projects’ progress on their website (depts.washington.edu/uwren/capstone/ capstone.htm). Students worked hard this spring to remove invasive species such as Himalayan 5 blackberry and English ivy and install native plant landscapes. When class ends in June, several ofthe sites will also have educational signage to identify the area. Not only will students have received valuable training in restoration ecology from this class, but our urban areas will benefit. Come tree lovers! all Don’t miss this FREE event! The best tree show in town will be held at Volunteer Park on Sunday, July 28. See the fastest tree-climbers in the world vie for the title in the 2002 International Tree Climbing Championships. The competition is part ofa Field Day sponsored by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Tree-related activities will run all day. Some ofthe highlights are: w o o fN Tree-climbing contests: Preliminaries begin at 8 a.m. Finals held between 2 and 4:30 p.m. for both men’s and women’s divisions. Events include speed climbs up a 40 foot rope, a Master Climb, or up-the-tree slalom, and a tree-limb walk. Children’s Jamboree and Kids’ Climb: 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Kids will be provided with ropes, saddle and helmet and will get the chance to play arborist. Tour desTrees: Welcome the Tour des Trees bike riders as they complete their week-long ride for promoting awareness ofurban forestry. Educational exhibits: Learn about the organizations that are involved in tree stewardship and what you can do to help preserve our urban forests. Interested InVolunteering? Arboretum Plant Sales Help is needed for special events, the Foundation Propagated plants, some from the Arboretum office, education programs, and special projects collection, for sale at the Pat Calvert Greenhouse, around the Arboretum. Call Elaine Anderson at Tuesdays, year 'round from 10 a.m. to noon. 206-325-4510. Donated plants Wednesdays and second Saturdays through October, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fall Bulb and Plant Sale For more information on Arboretum Founda- Sunday, October 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tion events, please call the events hotline at Hundreds ofspring-blooming bulb varieties, plus 206-726-1954 or visit the Foundation website at: trees, shrubs and many surprises from leading www.orgsites.comlwalarboretumfoundationl. Northwest vendors and nurseries. 6 Tidbits Allergy-free Gardening Plant Hardiness Zone Map is Updated For those allergy-prone individuals who want a The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is being sniffle-free garden, avoid wind-pollinated plants and updated by the American Horticultural Society CD instead choose insect-pollinated plants. Some of which plans to produce it on a and make it these include alyssum, begonia, clematis, daisy, available on the Internet. The society received a dusty miller, geranium, hosta, impatiens, pansy, grant from the USDA for the project. The map was petunia, phlox, rose and zinnia. For a complete list, first published in 1960, and the last revision was visit the American Academy ofAllergy, Asthma and made in 1990. The new map will have fifteen Immunology website at www.aaaai.org/ hardiness zones, up from eleven. The four new zones '. are semi-tropical and tropical. See the AHS web Clopyralid Ban site: www.ahs.org. The Washington State Department ofAgriculture banned consumer use ofclopyralid herbicides on residential lawns. This will prevent the herbicide from contaminating municipal compost that WSDA originates from landscape waste. is consider- ing additional restrictions for the herbicide. For updated information on clopyralid issues, see www.css.wsu.edu/compost/. Thanks to the many volunteers who tirelessly and enthusiastically provide support in a variety CUH ot ways at and theWashington ParkArboretum. Special acknowledgements were presented this year to Craig Hobson of Union Bay and Rich Scheyer of WPA, recipients ofthe Brian MulliganVolunteerAward for outstanding service. Union Bay Opportunities: Union Bay Reception Desk: Interact with visitors, faculty, staff, and students while helping out with phone calls and answering general questions. CUH DirectorTom Hinckleypresents Several shifts are available. Call Ray Larson at RichScheyerwiththeBrianMulligan 206-616-91 13 for more information. VolunteerAwardattheVolunteer RecognitionEventheldApril 17. Hands-On Work in the Container Nursery: Volunteers needed to help in the container nursery with work involving both woody ornamental and native plants. Activities such as transplanting, labeling, fertilizing and other maintenance tasks are ongoing. Special projects Arboretum Opportunities: involving propagation or plant evaluation are performed seasonally. Call Barbara Selemon at Volunteer Groups and Individuals needed: 206-683-2613 for more information. Volunteers provide a vital source ofsupport caring for Arboretum plant collections and managing invasive Rare Care Monitors Needed: Rare Care is weeds. Become a regularTuesday gardener every week looking for seed collectors and seed processors to from 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Tasks will vary with the begin late this summer. Seed collection will take season. Community service groups are also encour- place all overWashington state; seed processing will aged to lend a hand in one ofmany areas needing occur at CUH. Collectors need to have some attention. Many hands make light work. Work botanical skills to identify plants and seeds. If parties can be scheduled throughout the year. Please interested, please contact Laura Zybas at phone David Zuckerman at 206-328-4182. 206-616-0780 or [email protected]. WPA Information Desk: Greet visitors, share 2002 Gardening at Union Bay Campus: Join a your enthusiasm, answer questions, and interact with hands-on crew the 2nd Thursday ofeach month staffand other volunteers in the stimulating environ- SUMMER between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for gardening-related ment at the Arboretum. Shift times are either half or activites on CUH grounds. No experience necessary, whole days, once a week. Call the Building Manager just bring gloves and small hand tools and dress for at 206-543-8800. the weather. Part training, part idea exchange, part HORTICULTURE gardening enjoy it all with other plant and Saplings GuideTraining: September 9-13 CUH-appreciative folks. Call Peg Pearson at Training is just around the corner and we are eager 206-524-3564. to fill each volunteer position. Saplings guides are asked to commit to one program a week for twelve URBAN Work withYouth in Garden Sites: Seattle weeks in the fall. New guides must attend at least Youth Garden Works is currently in need ofcaring one training session from 9 a.m. to noon September FOR adult volunteers to work with youth at their 10th and/or 12th. All levels ofexperience are University District garden site. Call the SYGW welcome. Ifyou have any questions or would like to CENTER office at 206-525-1213, extension 3133. sign-up for training, please call us at 206-543-8801. CENTER FOR URBAN HORTICULTURE AND WASHINGTON PARK ARBORETUM AND PROGRAMS Feng Shui inVal Easton’s Garden & DATES&TIMES: Wednesday, July 17, 7to 9p.m. Saturday,July20, 10 a.m. to noon INSTRUCTOR: Victoria Coen, CertijiedFengShui Practitionerand Consultant GARDEN HOST: Valerie Easton, Garden Writerand Summer Pruning of FruitTrees Manager oftheMiller Hort Library CUH LOCATION: Part 1: Douglas Classroom, Part2: ValEastonsgarden DATE&TIME: Saturday, September 14, 9 a.m. to noon FEE: $45 INSTRUCTOR: Chuck Holland, President, Western Washington FruitResearch Foundation CUH Join consultant and therapist Victoria Coen in the LOCATION: Douglas Classroom, garden ofauthor Val Easton for an evening and FEE: $25generalpublic; $22Arboretum morning ofFeng Shui. Listen in while Victoria Foundation Members;pre-registration advises Val on ways to improve her garden using the required principles ofFeng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of 8 placement. Part one ofthis two-part class will meet Late summer pruning is essential for certain fruit at CUH and will cover Feng Shui basics ofusing trees such as plums. Chuck Holland, pruning color, sound, water, placement and plant selection. instructor at Edmonds C.C. , will demonstrate the In part two, students will tour Val Easton’s garden, proper technique for pruning mature trees. recently featured in her book “Plant Life”. Enjoy Fundamental pruning techniques and tools will be light refreshments while watching the principles of briefly covered. Next you will head to a delightful Feng Shui applied first-hand. century-old garden for a demonstration and hands- on practice session. Bring loppers, gloves, and hand pruners. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Groundcovers Designing and Building Stone Paths DATE&TIME: Monday, July22, 7to 8:30 p.m. and Terraces in your Garden CUH INSTRUCTOR: Barbara Selemon, Plant Propagator DATE&TIME: Thursday, September26, 7to 9p.m. CUH LOCATION: Douglas Classroom, INSTRUCTOR: Phil Wood, Garden Designer &Writer CUH FEE: $25generalpublic, $22Arboretum LOCATION: Douglas Classroom, Foundation members pre-registration FEE: $25generalpublic $22Arboretum ; required Foundation Members;pre-registration required This class will explore the boundary lines of groundcovers, celebrate the sensual attributes they Garden paths and terraces are among the most provide and will teach how to successfully establish important elements ofthe garden. Building them in and maintain them for weed exclusion. Come for a stone is well within reach ofthe homeowner. With CUH briefslide show followed by a tour ofthe the design and construction techniques in this gardens to see living examples ofa variety of course you will be able to create beautiful, useful groundcovers that will improve your landscape and and long-lasting stone paving. The instructor, Phil lower your maintenance demands. Wood, has designed and built many award-winning gardens. His work can be viewed on his website at wwiv.philwoodgardens.com. You may register by phone using Visa or MasterCard 206-685-8033. To register by mail, please complete and send in the registration form on page 15. S3SSV1D practical V N Q gardening lectures SHVUDOUd These lectures and demonstrations for beginning WSU gardeners are planned jointly with the Coop- erative Extension Community Horticulture Program. They are presented by Cooperative Extension staff walks and WSU and experienced Master Gardeners. tours Cool Season Vegetable Gardening Bainbridge Island Garden Tour DATE & TIME: Tuesday,July 9, 7to 8:30p.m. INSTRUCTOR: Master Gardenersfrom the Demonstration Garden Group date&time: Friday July26, 8:30a.m. CUH ; CUH LOCATION: Douglas Classroom, location: tour leavesfrom parkinglot FEE: $10 FEE: $65 * This hands-on class will teach you how to turn your Tour several outstanding private gardens on seasonal vegetable garden into a year-round source of Bainbridge Island on this all-day garden tour. From healthy produce. Planting ofkales, greens, onions, waterfront to woodland, from art-laden to plant- broccoli and other crops will be covered. You’ll plant laden, these gardens are special and so are the a six-pack ofseeds for your cool-weather garden and gardeners that created them. Stop for lunch at receive a calendar lor fall planting. Bainbridge Gardens Nursery. Fee includes lunch and transportation. Space is limited, so sign up early. Eliminating those Tough,Woody Weeds Neighborhood PlantWalk: Laurelhurst DATE&TIME: Tuesday, August 6, 7to 8:30p.m. INSTRUCTOR: Joan Helbacka, Program Coordinator, DATE&TIME: Saturday, August 17, 9:30 to noon Master Gardeners Program INSTRUCTOR: Bess Bronstein, Horticulture Instructor CUH 2002 LOCATION: Douglas Classroom, and Consultant $10 FEE: LOCATION: Laurelhurst Community Center, SUMMER 4554N.E. 41st Blackberries, scotch broom, horsetails...these FEE: $25generalpublic, $22Arboretum scoundrels are all too familiar in our northwest Foundation members;pre-registration backyards. This class will cover general weed required management for tough weeds, but will emphasize the HORTICULTURE large, woody weeds that are particularly difficult to Walk with horticulturist Bess Bronstein through the remove and manage. Laurelhurst neighborhood, looking at gardens and observing plants and plant combinations from the URBAN sidewalk. Enjoy the plant wealth found in this city, brought to you by your fellow gardeners. This is the FOR first in a series ofplant walks through the many varied neighborhoods ofSeattle. CENTER PROGRAMS What’s Wrong Here: The Basics of Diagnosing Plant Problems AND DATE &TIME: Tuesday, September24, 7to 8:30p.m. INSTRUCTOR: Mary Robson, Area ExtensionAgent CUH LOCATION: Douglas Classroom, FEE: $10 arboretum CLASSES Learn how to figure out what’s causing those plant problems in your backyard. Bring in your plant guided tours problems, and Mary Robson along with members of the Master Gardener Plant Diagnostic group will lead you step-by-step through diagnosis and management ofthe problem Resource lists will be Weekend Walks at One provided. Weekend walks highlight areas ofthe Arboretum and collections with seasonal interest. Walks depart from Graham Visitors Center Saturdays and Sundays at p.m. Call ahead to ensure a weekend 1 tour. Please phone 206-543-8801. Enjoy the seasonal splendor ofthe Arboretum. Tours are led by trained Arboretum guides and last - from 60 to 90 minutes. Topics include plants of seasonal interest, Foster Island ecology, native plants, and ethnobotany. Tours are available year-round between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., seven days a week. Fees are $15 per group of 15 or $10 for Arboretum Foundation members. Call 206-543-8801 to reserve a guide; three weeks advance reservation required. 2002 SUMMER HORTICULTURE URBAN FOR CENTER