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"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
February 2007
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Web Reviews
Delve Deeper into the Legends of Ireland
Prepare for the 2007 Philadelphia Flower Show, Legends of Ireland, by learning about Ogam, the tree alphabet of the ancient Celts, and by studying the plant lore of the Druids. You can do both in the Ogam pages of the Upon Reflection website.
Set Your Sites on Landscapes
Site/Lines is a journal produced by the Foundation for Landscape Studies that "occupies a niche in the middle ground between the scholarly journal and the garden magazine." The current issue features essays on botanical gardens. Best of all, its full text is available free at the foundation's website.
Black Cottonwood Deciphered
An article in Science magazine (September 15, 2006) reports that an international team of scientists has sequenced the DNA of the black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), making it first tree to be analyzed in this way. Forty-five thousand of this venerable tree's genes were identified; that's about twice as many as have been identified in humans. The Department of Energy will use this knowledge to promote manufacture of bio-fuels. For more information, see BBC News.
Have a Listen
The Sierra Club has launched "Sierra Club Radio," a weekly half-hour program featuring interviews, advice and tips on the environmental topics that made the Sierra Club famous. The show can be heard live in the San Francisco Bay area on Saturdays at 3:30 pm (PST) on 960am. In other locations, you can listen via podcast or over the internet. See the Sierra Club Radio webpage to learn how you can access it.
2007 Perennial Plant of the Year
The Perennial Plant Association has announced the 2007 Perennial Plant of the year. Visit the association's website to read more about Nepeta 'Walker's Low.' Have you been wondering how these plants are chosen? Read "Perennial Plant of the Year - How Is It Chosen?" and wonder no more.
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McLean Library News
New Books in Library
See the "What's New in the Library" page of our web site.
New Exhibit in McLean Library
Flora of North America
January 16 - June 30, 2007
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society McLean Library
100 North 20th Street, 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA
The Flora of North America, an ambitious publishing project to be completed in 2011, will present for the first time in one reference information on the names, taxonomic relationships, continent-wide distributions, and morphological characteristics of all native and naturalized plants found in North America north of Mexico. The McLean Library exhibit consists of selected volumes of the 30-volume work, as well as earlier American floras, field guides, photographs, collected plants, and a lesson plan. The exhibit explores the reasons why a new flora of North American is needed, including habitat destruction and the fact that new plants are still being discovered. The McLean Library is located on the first floor of PHS headquarters (20th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia) and is open 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
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PHS Events
Book Club 'Stories From the Garden'
Thursday, February 1, 5:45 - 7:45 pm
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society McLean Library
100 North 20th Street, 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA
This month's selection: William Gass, In the Heart of the Heart of the Country (selected stories). [more]
Kids Grow Expo Workshop
Monday, February 12, 4 - 5:30 pm
Fairmount Park Horticultural Center
Belmont Avenue & Montgomery Drive
Philadelphia, PA
Additional date and location: Tuesday, February 13, 4 to 5:30 pm, at Temple University Ambler College [more]
Garden Tenders Workshop:
Designing your Vegetable Garden for Maximum Production
Wednesday, February 14, 6 - 8 pm
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th Street, 5th Fl.
Philadelphia, PA
Plan your garden using new and improved techniques to get the most out of it. [more]
Meadowbrook Farm Tour:
Flower Show Behind the Scenes
Thursday, February 22, 10 am - Noon
Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
This behind-the-scenes tour of Meadowbrook Farm's magical greenhouses will focus on the art and science, and the successes and challenges of forcing plants for the Philadelphia Flower Show. [more]
Evening Lecture: Irish Gardens--Traditional to Contemporary
Tuesday, February 27, 6 - 8:30 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 North 20th Street, 5th Floor Auditorium
Philadelphia, PA
Highlighting the Irish theme of the 2007 Philadelphia Flower Show, London-based, internationally known landscape designers and authors Guy Cooper and Gordon Taylor will present an illustrated lecture on some of the most exciting gardens in Ireland, from classic to modern. [more]
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Family-Friendly Gardening
Maple Sugaring and Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, February 3, 8 am - 1 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Tours and demonstrations of maple syrup production complemented by a hearty pancake breakfast served in the historic barn. [more]
Kids (ages 5 - 12) Valentine's Flower Workshop
Saturday, February 10, 1 - 3 pm
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Learn all about arranging fresh flowers and create an arrangement to take home. Contact Cheryl Wilks by email or at 215-643-3050.
Who Lives Here?
Monday, February 12, 10 -11 am
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
A short outdoor walk followed by an indoor program will introduce children to different animal homes in winter. For children age 3. [more]
Kids' Winter Nature Exploration
Monday, February 19, 1 - 2:30 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Children can spend Presidents Day looking for signs of animals and insects, searching for unusual plants, and sharing a taste of maple sugar and hot cocoa. For children ages 8 to 10. [more]
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Other Gardening News & Events
Exhibit: "The Heart of the Matter; a retrospective"
Through March 18
The Galleries at Moore
Moore College of Art and Design
20th Street and The Parkway
Philadelphia, PA
Andrea Baldeck: The Heart of the Matter, a Retrospective will showcase approximately 120 of Andrea Baldeck's photographs (including botanical themes) spanning her career as a fine art photographer. [more] Link to http://www.moore.edu/index.cfm
Continuing Education Courses
February, 2007
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Floral Tablescapes, Sharpening Pruners, Beginning Flower Drawing . . . . these are just a few of the classes offered in February by Longwood Gardens' Continuing Education program. Students may take individual workshops as well as complete curricula in specialized areas to gain a certificate of merit. [more]
Walks, Workshops and Field Trips
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Botany walks, a night hike, maple sugaring and Basic Digital Photo Editing for Beginners are among the February offerings at Tyler. The Arboretum encompasses 650 acres of renowned plant collections; champion trees; historic buildings; and 20 miles of hiking trails through woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. [more]
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Symposium: "Today's Horticulture"
Friday, February 2, 8 am - 4:15 pm
Ballroom
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
This day-long symposium covers topics of interest to gardeners, horticulturists, landscape designers, and nursery professionals. [more]
Seed Saving Workshop
Saturday, February 3, 1 - 4 pm
Coach House
Bartram's Garden
54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA
Help clean and package flower and vegetable seeds harvested at Bartram's last year and take home some to try. [more]
Symposium: "Nature's Unseen Influences and the Art of Design"
Tuesday - Wednesday, February 6 - 7
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
Landscape designers attending the 17th Annual New Directions in the American Landscape Symposium will hear innovative ideas for increasing the effectiveness of their gardens as naturally inspired works of art. [more]
New and Even More Useful Plants for 2007
Wednesday, February 7, 7:30 pm
Student Center Music Room
Henry Schmieder Arboretum of Delaware Valley College
700 East Butler Avenue
Doylestown, PA
Founders Lecture with Rick Ray. [more] Call 215-489-2283.
Winter Tree ID Gardener's Talk and Tour
Saturday, February 10, 10 am - 12 Noon
Coach House
Bartram's Garden
54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA
Join head gardener Todd Greenberg and arborist Brian Ames as they introduce the fine points of tree identification during the winter season. [more]
Winter Campus Walk: "A Close Look at Conifers"
Sunday, February 11, 1:30 pm
Arboretum Office, Visitors' Parking Lot
Haverford College
370 Lancaster Avenue
Haverford, PA
Winter is the perfect time to admire the arboretum's conifer collection. [more]
"Celebration of Herbs"
Wednesday, February 17, 8 am - 4 pm
4-H Center
Route 113
Creamery, PA
This all-day event includes presentations and workshops with Tina Marie Wilcox, Susan Belsinger, Diane Hershey, Maureen Rogers, and Jane Irvin-Klotz. Contact Cheryl Wilks at floonloc@aol.com or 215-643-3050.
Meeting: West Jersey Rose Society
Wednesday, February 14, 7:30 - 9 pm
Carman Tilelli Community Center
Cherry Hill Township Complex
820 Mercer Street
Cherry Hill, NJ
Chris Papada will speak "All About Organic Fertilizers for Rose Gardens." Call 856-234-6583.
"Using Herbs and Essential Oils for a Healthy Harmonious Lifestyle"
Sunday, February 18, 1 - 3:30 pm
Doylestown Wellness Center
847 Easton Road, Route 611
Warrington, PA
Tina Marie Wilcox and Susan Belsinger will present. Contact Susan Duval by email or at 215-918-5995.
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"Cultivating Culinary Herbs in Containers"
Monday, February 19, 7 - 9 pm
Doylestown Wellness Center
847 Easton Road, Route 611
Warrington, PA
Tina Marie Wilcox and Susan Belsinger will present. Contact Susan Duval by email or at 215-918-5995.
Bulbs for Garden Habitats
Wednesday, February 21, 7:30 pm
Henry Schmieder Arboretum of Delaware Valley College
700 East Butler Avenue
Doylestown, PA
Presentation by Judy Glattstein. Call 215-489-2283 or email.
Fine Art Floral Show
Saturday, February 24 - Friday, April 27
Opening Reception
Saturday, February 24, 11 am - 3 pm
Burlington County College Student Gallery
1 High Street
Mount Holly, NJ
Show sponsored by Main Street Mount Holly. 609-914-0811 [more]
Spring Wreath
Sunday, February 27, 1 - 3 pm
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Create a wreath to use in your home or to give as a gift. Contact Cheryl Wilks by email or at 215-643-3050.
Symposium: "Technology's Influence on the Interpretive Experience"
Friday, March 9
Ballroom
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Annual symposium of the Longwood Graduate Program. [more]
Symposium: Garden Wise 2007: A One-Day Gardening School
Saturday, March 10, 8 am - 3:30 pm
York Suburban High School
1800 Hollywood Drive
York, PA 17403
Larry Weaner speaks on "Breaking the Rules: Creating Natural Landscapes in the Real World" and Nancy Beaubaire speaks on "Beyond the Grass Ceiling: Less Lawn, More Natives" at this event sponsored by the York County Master Gardeners. Contact Ashley by email or at 717-840-7408.
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How to Submit News & Events
The Wired Gardener is issued 11 times a year (no 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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Garden Q & A Reopens January 3rd
Our gardening experts volunteer their time to answer your questions. Use the form on our web site.
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About the Wired Gardener
Edited by Janet Evans, library manager, McLean Library, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; contributions: Elena Sisti and Priscilla Becroft.
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