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"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
August, 2008
Click on one of the topics below to jump to to that section.
Web Reviews
Flutter by this Website
Treat your inner lepidopterist to a visit to Butterflies and Moths of North America, a database and website maintained by The Big Sky Institute at Montana State University and the NBII Mountain Prairie Information Node. Learn about these important pollinators, find out which are most common in your area with the map search feature, or just enjoy their beauty by browsing the image gallery.
Leaf through the Green Guide
First launched as a newsletter in 1994, National Geographic has expanded the Green Guide into a magazine. The Green Guide presents the latest processes, products, and technologies that are friendly to the environment. A subscription is required to access full digital or print content, but there is much available via the website. Check out the CO2 calculators to find the carbon dioxide given off by your daily activities. Then, minimize this output by following the tips.
The Aldo Leopold Archives
Aldo Leopold was a writer, ecologist, conservationist, ethicist, and is considered the father of wildlife management. He worked in the fledgling U.S. Forest Service and wrote the first textbook on wildlife management; as well as his best-known work, A Sand County Almanac. Explore his correspondences, essays, published and unpublished articles, journals, and other related personal and professional materials at the Aldo Leopold Archives. The University of Wisconsin holds these important records and has digitized them so that we can continue to learn from him.
Meet Methuselah
Methuselah is the nickname given to the date palm grown from the oldest seed ever to germinate. These seeds were found in 1973 by archeologists excavating an Israeli fortress from the time of King Herod. The seeds were then preserved for over 30 years. Recently, scientists and botanists from the Louis L. Borick Natural Medicine Research Center planted one of them. This seed became Methuselah. The team was able to date the seed at about 1700 – 2000 years old. Read more about Methuselah at National Geographic’s site.
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PHS McLean Library News
Seeking Book Sale Donations
Wanted: used gardening books, natural history books, and cookbooks in good condition for the PHS McLean Library Annual Book Sale on September 24. We will accept donations through Friday, September 5. Please drop books off at the McLean Library at PHS headquarters, 100 N. 20th Street, in Philadelphia, between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Questions? Call 215-988-8772.
Film Discussion Group Starts in September!
Do you love to watch movies and talk about them? Join us in this film discussion series, where we’ll talk about movies in which nature, gardens, or the environment play starring or supporting roles. We’ll look at themes of redemption and restoration, what happens when nature goes awry, and our never-ending quest to live in harmony with the environment. The discussion group meets monthly in PHS’s McLean Library, 100 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, from 6: - 7:30 pm. Participants are asked to view the film before the discussion. Light refreshments will be served. Our meetings are free and open to all, but we ask attendees to register by contacting Priscilla Becroft at pbecroft@pennhort.org or 215-988-8772.
Fall Schedule:
Tuesday, September 16 |
Edward Scissorhands
1990. Tim Burton, dir. 105 min. USA
An artificial man (Johnny Depp) with scissors for hands lives completely alone until a local woman befriends him and brings him home. |
Tuesday,
October 21 |
The Birds
1963. Alfred Hitchcock, dir. 119 min. USA
Just in time for Halloween horror! Watch the film that Hitchcock considered his most terrifying! A wealthy playgirl (Tippi Hedren) pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people there in increasing numbers and with increasing viciousness. |
Tuesday, November 18 |
Jean de Florette
1986. Claude Berri, dir. 120 min. France.
A greedy landowner and his backward nephew conspire to block the only water source for an adjoining property in order to bankrupt the owner and force him to sell. |
Book Discussion Group Schedule
Join the McLean Library’s “Stories from the Garden” book discussion group! Each month we’ll read and discuss works of fiction or non-fiction having to do with gardening, plants, nature or the land. The group meets monthly in the McLean Library from 5:45 to 7:45 pm from September through June (skipping the month of March). Discussions are free and open to all, but we ask attendees to register by contacting Priscilla Becroft at pbecroft@pennhort.org or 215-988-8772.
2008-2009 Schedule and Reading List:
September 11 |
Leonie Swann, Three Bags Full: a Sheep Detective Story |
October 2 |
Bill McKibben, Hope, Human and Wild: True Stories of Living Lightly on the Earth
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November 6 |
Gary Wills, Lincoln at Gettysburg: the Words that Remade America |
December 4 |
Rumer Godden, An Episode of Sparrows |
January 8 |
Rick Bass, The Lives of Rocks (selected short stories) |
February 5 |
Elizabeth Von Arnim, The Enchanted April (book and film discussion) |
April 2 |
Anne Farrow, et al. Complicity: How the North Promoted, Prolonged and Profited From Slavery |
May 7 |
Xinran, Sky Burial: an Epic Love Story of Tibet |
June 4 |
William Shakespeare, The Tempest (play) |
New Books in the Library
See the "What's New in the Library" page of our web site.
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PHS Events
Chanticleer Walk: Herbaceous Natives
Wednesday, August 6, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Spend a lovely summer evening with Laura Aiken as she guides us through the gardens at Chanticleer highlighting top-performing herbaceous plants, including gorgeous all-America annual and perennial selections. [more]
Chanticleer Walk: Flower Arranging From the Garden
Wednesday, August 13, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Why spend lots of money buying flowers when you can create something of beauty from what’s growing right outside in your garden, regardless of the time of year? Join Chanticleer horticulturist Jonathan Wright on an inspiring walk through Chanticleer and its Cut-Flower Garden. Jonathan will then demonstrate and discuss techniques for creating a variety of arrangements. [more]
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Family-Friendly Gardening
Activities for Children and Families
August 2008
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
During the month of August, the preserve will offer a variety of activities for children and families: wildflower, butterfly, and moonlight walks; an insect hunt; and a summer reading series. [more]
Fun for Kids and Families
August 2008
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Tyler’s August programs for children include “Stream Secrets” for 3-year-olds; “Beetles, Bees and Butterflies” for children ages 4 to 5; “Fruits in the Veggie Garden?” for children ages 6 to 9; and two Tree House Kids programs in conjunction with the arboretum’s Totally Terrific Treehouses exhibit. [more]
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2008 Plant Sales and Events
See the 2008 Plant Sales and Events on our website for major plant sales and garden tours in the greater Philadelphia region. [more]
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Other Gardening News & Events
Continuing Education Courses
August 2008
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Annuals, perennials, and principles of color are just a few of the topics covered in classes, courses, and lectures offered in August at Longwood Gardens. [more]
Workshops and Events
August 2008
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Weekly meadow tours, Saturday morning weed patrols, and wildflower and butterfly walks are among the offerings at the preserve during the month of August. [more]
Tyler Arboretum Summer Programs
August 2008
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
A Totally Terrific Treehouses exhibit, the Amazing Butterflies Butterfly House, and an historic building tour are among the happenings at Tyler during the month of August. [more]
Water Garden Tour
Saturday, August 2, 9 - 4 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
Enjoy a self-guided tour of some of the region’s premier private water gardens, sponsored by Gateway Garden Center. [more]
Call for Volunteers: Tree Care Club
Thursday, August 7, 5:30 - 8 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
Join other volunteers for a fun summer evening dedicated to care of Wilmington’s street trees. Contact Nick Lodsun at nlodsun@dehort.org or 302-658-6262 x113.
Opening Reception: My Backyard Plant Explorations
Friday, August 8, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
(Art exhibit runs Tuesday - Sunday, August 9 - 29, 12 Noon - 4 pm)
Bartram’s Garden
54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA
Melding the skills of botanical illustration and specimen mounting, Mary Fran Cardamone’s artwork playfully evokes her love of ecology, pressed plants, and vintage scientific illustrations. [more]
Philadelphia Botanical Club Field Trip
Saturday, August 9
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
Bucks County, PA
See grasses, goldenrods, asters, and other composites in the late-summer meadow, plus interesting ferns and flowering plants on the trails. Contact Linda Kelly at kellylc01@aol.com or 732-363-1266 or Karl Anderson at karlanderson6@aol.com or 856-845-7075.
Green Roof Tour
Tuesday, July 29, 8:30 to 10 am
Scott Arboretum
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Learn about the inner workings, benefits, and beauty of green roofs while exploring two at the arboretum. [more]
Meeting: West Jersey Rose Society
Wednesday, August 20, 7:30 - 9 pm
Holly Room, Medford Leas Art and Social Wing
One Medford Leas Way
Medford, NJ
August program: Building Raised Beds and Watering Systems. Contact 856-234-6583.
Garden Study Weekend and Design Seminar:
“Transatlantic Connections: Creating a Personal Garden Style”
Friday - Sunday, September 5 - 7
Hollister House
Washington, CT
This seminar will present some of the best contemporary thinking that is shaping gardens on both sides of the Atlantic. Sponsored by the Garden Conservancy and Hollister House, the garden of George Schoellkopf. [more]
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Garden Q & A
Our gardening experts volunteer their time to answer your questions. Use the form on our web site.
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How to Submit News & Events
The Wired Gardener is issued 10 times a year (no July or December issue) on the 1st of the month. We post notices of gardening events and give precedence to Philadelphia-area events. Deadline: the 15th of the month for listing in the next month's issue. Send brief details and contact information by email and reference "Wired Gardener" in the subject line. Press releases are not accepted. Please review and follow the format used in our Other Gardening News and Events section.
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About the Wired Gardener
Edited by Janet Evans, McLean Library manager, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, with contributions by Elena Sisti and Priscilla Becroft.
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