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"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
Students examining rare book
in McLean Library.
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May 2009
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Web Reviews
Opening Soon
The Garden Conservancy has posted its 2009 Open Days Schedule. Plan to visit gardens in the Philadelphia area on September 20.
These Schools are Cool
Heading to college in the fall? Visit the College Sustainability Report Card to learn which U.S. and Canadian colleges have earned high grades for sustainability. The compare feature will show you the sustainability profiles of your top picks side-by-side. Before you know it, you’ll be feeling right at home in your green dorm room!
Green Spacing Out
Learn about the latest green issues and happenings in Philadelphia. Visit the GreenSpace blog written by Sandy Bauers, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s environment reporter. You can be part of its lively discussion by contributing your comments.
Explore Asia
Travel along with the plant explorers who delved into Asia in the early twentieth century. The Arnold Arboretum’s Botanical and Cultural Images of Eastern Asia, 1907-1927 will introduce you to these intrepid men and show you some of the beautiful images they captured on their journeys.
Go Gray for Green
Gray water is a great way to slake the thirst of your vegetable or flowerbed. Gray water is non-toilet waste water that you can reuse to water your plants. Before implementing your gray water recycling program, consult this factsheets from the University of Massachusetts or this video from Treehugger.
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PHS McLean Library News
Donations Needed for McLean Library Annual Book Sale
Mark your calendar for the annual McLean Library Book Sale on Wednesday, September 30! Buy used gardening classics at exceptional prices. Gardeners, this is a wonderful opportunity to recycle your used books by donating them for the sale. We are seeking books on gardens, plants, the landscape, and natural history. Drop books off at the McLean Library between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Questions? Call 215-988-8772 or send email to pbecroft@pennhort.org.
What’s New in the Library
PHS members may borrow books from the McLean Library. No time to visit? The library will mail books and DVDs to your home or office. To learn more, email or call 215-988-8772. Below are some descriptions of new and recommended titles. To borrow these books, fill out this form.
Emily Dickinson's Gardens: Discovering the Flowers that Inspired her Poetry. Marta McDowell.
A woman who found great solace in gardens, Emily Dickinson filled her poetry with references to her flowers. Now, in Emily Dickinson's Gardens, author Marta McDowell invites poetry and gardening lovers alike to explore the words and wildflowers of one of America's best-loved poets.
Gardens: An Essay on the Human Condition. Robert Pogue Harrison.
With Gardens, Robert Pogue Harrison graces readers with a thoughtful, wide-ranging examination of the many ways gardens evoke the human condition. Moving from the gardens of ancient philosophers to the gardens of homeless people in contemporary New York, he shows how, again and again, the garden has served as a check against the destruction and losses of history.
The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time. Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen.
With wit and authority, authors Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen provide hundreds of solutions for all areas of your life, pinpointing the smallest changes that have the biggest impact on the health of our precious planet.
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PHS Events
City Gardening Series: Dependable Perennials for Low Maintenance Gardens
Saturday, May 2, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Nixon/Cobbs Creek Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway
Philadelphia, PA
Environmental educator Lori Hayes shares information on which perennials are easy to care for and how to maintain them. more
Young Friends of PHS Trip to Terrain at Styer's
Saturday, May 2, 11 am - 6 pm
914 Baltimore Pike
Glen Mills, PA
Join the Young Friends on a trip to Terrain at Styer's, a garden center and home store owned by Urban Outfitters. We'll shop the many shelves and have dinner. PHS members receive a 10 percent discount on purchases. Transportation from PHS (20th & Arch streets, Center City) to and from Terrain will be provided. more
City Gardening Series: Planning and Designing a Vegetable Garden
Saturday, May 2, 1 - 2 pm
Oak Lane Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
6614 N. 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Environmental educator Sally McCabe will cover everything from selecting which varieties to grow to planting and maintenance. more
City Gardening Series: Spring Tree Walk
Monday, May 4, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
The Horticulture Center of Fairmount Park
North Horticultural Drive and Montgomery Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Join Lori Hayes on this popular tree walk and learn about the numerous varieties of trees on this historic site of the 1976 Bicentennial celebration. more
City Gardening Series: Designing and Planting Window Boxes
Wednesday, May 6, 6 - 7 pm
South Philadelphia Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
1700 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
Using a combination of flowering and foliage plants, horticulturist Ginny Page will give tips and ideas on how to plant a simple window box garden. more
Chanticleer Walk/Demonstration: Cold Frames and Other Season Extenders
Wednesday, May 6, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Now is the time to expand your knowledge of vegetable gardening and extend the season itself! Join Doug Croft for a walk through Chanticleer’s Vegetable and Cut Flower gardens and learn how Chanticleer uses its cold frames to extend the season, from early harvest of cool-season vegetables and annual cut flowers for spring arrangements to harvesting fall crops after the first frost. more
Meadowbrook Farm Workshop: Spring Patio Pot
Thursday, May 7, 10 am - Noon
Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
Meadowbrook Farm’s patio pots are renowned for their style, grace, and plant combinations. In this workshop, you’ll create your own unique flowering pot to enjoy for the summer season. Whether your style is formal or informal, Sharon Kaszan will show you how to choose and arrange plants in a container for sun or shade. more
Azalea Garden Party
Thursday, May 7, 5:30 - 8 pm
The Azalea Garden, Fairmount Park
(behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art)
Philadelphia, PA
With the support of PHS members and Friends of the Azalea Garden, in addition to the expertise of a select team of landscape architects and contractors, the Azalea Garden continues to be one of the most popular open spaces in the city. The Azalea Garden Party is an annual fundraiser that helps cover its maintenance costs. more
Book Discussion: Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet
Thursday, May 7, 5:45 - 7:45 pm
PHS McLean Library
100 North 20th Street, 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA
In this book discussion group, which meets in the McLean Library, we read and discuss works of fiction or non-fiction having to do with gardens, plants, or the land. Participants need to obtain books and read each monthly selection prior to the discussion. This second book by London-based journalist Xinran, well-regarded for her account of different Chinese women's lives in "The Good Women of China," is a grand story of love, loss and the clash of cultures amidst the equally grand landscapes of Tibet. more
Chanticleer Walk; Spring Season Walk
Thursday, May 7, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
This first of three tours of Chanticleer’s enchanting pleasure gardens will highlight plantings of seasonal interest in early May. We can expect to enjoy fragrant native azaleas in the Woodland Garden and Japanese primroses in the Asian Woods and along the Stream Garden, where they blend with waves of ‘Blue Danube’ camassias. more
City Gardening Series: Container Flower Gardens
Saturday, May 9, 2 - 3 pm
Lawncrest Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
6098 Rising Sun Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Join us at the workshop where Eva Monheim provides advice and suggestions on the basics of container gardening, including information on plants, soils and types of containers. more
City Gardening Series: Planning the Vegetable Garden
Monday, May 11, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Bushrod Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
6304 Castor Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Nothing tastes better than fresh-picked veggies from your own garden. Penn State Extension educator Doris Stahl will show how to plan and plant the vegetable garden. more
City Gardening Series: Planning the Annual Flower Garden
Monday, May 11, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Logan Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
1333 Wagner Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Horticultural therapist Mona Gold will give easy tips on planning and caring for your annual garden. more
Botanical Illustration: Portraits of Logan Square with Colored Pencil
Tuesday, May 12, 10 am - 1 pm
PHS
100 North 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Join us at Logan Square in Center City Philadelphia, the crown jewel of the Paris-influenced Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which was recently renovated by Philadelphia Green and partners, for a springtime plein air botanical illustration workshop with Eileen Rosen. Instruction will include how to eliminate extraneous details, sketch a simple working drawing, and slowly build up and blend layers of vibrant color to create a charming, miniature portrait of the site. more
City Gardening Series: Gardening with Herbs
Wednesday, May 13, 4 - 5 pm
Widener Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
2808 W. Lehigh Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Community gardener Janet Carter will discuss what every gardener should know about growing, caring for, and using herbs. more
Intensive Gardening
Wednesday, May 13, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
PHS
100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
How to get the most food, flowers, and beauty from your garden. more
Chanticleer Walk: Shade Perennials
Wednesday, May 13, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Gardening in the shade poses a unique set of challenges, but the rewards can be most satisfying as you enjoy the cool blends of colors and textures only shady gardens offer. Join Chanticleer horticulturist Lisa Roper as she explores plants growing in varying degrees and types of shade. As she leads us through the lovely grounds of Chanticleer, Lisa will point out spring perennials suited for moist and dry situations. more
City Gardening Series: Small Space Gardening with Herbs
Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Fumo Family Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
2437 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
Can't grow vegetables? Try some herbs. Environmental educator Liz Dailey discusses how to plant, grow, and maintain the herb garden. more
Hands-On Intensive Vegetable Gardening
Thursday, May 14, 11 am - 1 pm
Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences
7100 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
How to get the most food from your garden using season extenders, raised beds, wide rows, succession planting, soil building and composting. Students from Saul's AgroEcology Class will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions about their growing techniques. Workshop will be held on the farm side of Henry Avenue (opposite from school). more
City Gardening Series: Chanticleer through the Seasons - Spring
Thursday, May 14, 4:30 - 9 pm
Chanticleer
Wayne, PA
Join us for an enchanting evening at Chanticleer ... A Pleasure Garden, a wonderful 32-acre garden of ever-changing colors and textures in Wayne, PA. Buses will leave PHS 100 North 20th Street at 4:30 pm SHARP, returning to Philadelphia by 9 pm. Please bring a light supper; snacks and refreshments will be supplied. more
City Gardening Series: Designing and Planting Window Boxes
Saturday, May 16, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Blackwell/West Philadelphia Regional Free Library
125 S. 52nd Street
Philadelphia, PA
Looking to spruce up your window box? Environmental educator Charlotte Kidd demonstrates how to add a variety of colors, shapes, and texture to your planters. more
City Gardening Series: Color in the Garden
Monday, May 18, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Holmesburg Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
7810 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Master gardener Robin Potter teaches the secrets to using the colors you love most in your garden and landscape. more
Film Discussion Series: Greenfingers
Tuesday, May 19, screening 4 pm, discussion 6 - 7:30 pm
PHS McLean Library
100 North 20th Street, 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA
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. This month we will be viewing and discussing Joel Hirshman’s 2000 film Greenfingers. more
Philadelphia Tree Tenders Basic Training
Wednesday, May 20, 5:45 - 8:45 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Become a Tree Tender! Become part of the “growing” TreeVitalize program of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to increase Southeast Pennsylvania’s tree cover and promote the benefits of trees. Training includes tree biology, urban stresses on trees, tree identification, basic tree pruning and root care, tree planting and community organizing. more
City Gardening Series: Gardening with Annuals
Wednesday, May 20, 6 - 7 pm
David Cohen Ogontz Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
6017 Ogontz Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Penn State master gardener Loretta DeMarco teaches the basics for soil preparation, planting, and maintenance for annuals. more
Chanticleer Walk; Native Trees and Shrubs
Wednesday, May 20, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Today there are so many choices in plants, the selection process often intimidates us. But sometimes the answer is right under our noses. Take a walk through the gardens at Chanticleer with horticulturist Dan Benarcik, who will discuss native trees and shrubs that are well suited for use in the Delaware Valley. more
Chanticleer Walk: Moss Gardening
Thursday, May 21, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Here’s a practical approach to growing one of the most beautiful groups of plants. Przemek Walczak will talk about starting and maintaining a patch of moss, a moss lawn, or a whole moss garden. We will look at examples of moss uses, tools, and maintenance techniques. more
City Gardening Series: All about Roses
Saturday, May 23, 11 am - Noon
Dickinson Square Park - Parson’s Building
4th and Tasker Streets
Philadelphia, PA
Master Gardener Mary McKnight will show how roses can provide decades of beauty and enjoyment when properly planted and tended. more
City Gardening Series: Herbs 101
Saturday, May 23, 2 - 3 pm
Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Free Library
68 W. Chelten Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Horticultural therapist Bev Agard focuses on what every gardener should know about growing, caring for, and using herbs. more
City Gardening Series: Growing Vegetables in Containers
Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Tacony Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
6742 Torresdale Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Garden writer Charlotte Kidd talks about how to pot up your favorite vegetables and herbs for flavor and beauty on the patio, deck, balcony, or windowsill. more
City Gardening Series: Herbal Themed Container Gardens
Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
West Oak Lane Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
2000 Washington Lane
Philadelphia, PA
Horticulturist Mia Mengucci demonstrates that herbs in containers are convenient, easy to grow, and add color and fun to small garden spaces. more
COACH TOUR: Private Gardens Near Baltimore
Thursday, May 28, 7:15 am - 7 pm
Baltimore, MD
Four extraordinary gardeners near Baltimore, MD, will welcome us to their private havens for an enjoyable day of looking at stellar plants and fascinating landscapes. Our first stop, in northern Baltimore, offers an amazing assemblage of trees and shrubs, including conifers and collections of Japanese umbrella pines and Japanese maples punctuated with interesting boulders, walls, and pathways on two acres. more
City Gardening Series: Perennials in the Landscape
Saturday, May 30, 2 - 3 pm
Lawncrest Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
6098 Rising Sun Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Loretta DeMarco will offer advice about plant selection, choosing the right spot, and planting techniques for growing perennials in the garden. more
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Family-Friendly Gardening
Fun for Kids & Families
May 2009
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
This spring Tyler offers a variety of outdoor/indoor activities for Teeny Tiny Trackers (age 3), Tiny Trackers (ages 4 to 6), Junior Naturalists and Junior Gardeners (ages 6 to 8), and Junior Ramblers and Crafty Kids (ages 8 to 12). more
Introducing Your Child to Nature
Sunday, May 17, 3 - 4 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Pam Newitt will demonstrate fun and exciting activities to delight and inspire you and your child. For all ages. Call 215-862-2924.
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Other Gardening News & Events
BHWP Programs
May 2009
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Take a guided wildflower walk, enjoy early morning bird walks, come to the Spring Native Plant Sale, volunteer for Weed Patrol and learn about native spring flowering shrubs. more
Trips and Workshops
May 2009
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
Day trips, an evening of garden tours, an art exhibit and the annual Community Garden Plant Sale are among the offerings this month at the Delaware Center for Horticulture. more
Continuing Education Courses
May 2009
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Create a water garden container, learn about xeriscaping, and plan an enchanted evening in your garden at Longwood Gardens May classes. more
Scott Arboretum Events
May 2009
Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA
Attend a workshop on peonies or take one of the wide variety of guided tours offered at the arboretum this month. more
Classes and Events
May 2009
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Tyler’s May events include workshops, walks and tours in the following categories: Gardening & Horticulture, Botanical Arts, Nature Studies and Health & Wellness. more
Spring Plant Sale
Friday, May 1, 3 - 6 pm
Saturday, May 2, 10 am - 3 pm
The Parent-Infant Center
4205 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA
Plant sale to support PIC’s scholarship fund. Herbs, hanging baskets, and more. more
Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, May 2, 9 am - 3 pm
Landscape Arboretum of Temple University Ambler
580 Meetinghouse Road
Ambler, PA
Woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs and vines, and native plants attractive to wildlife will be on sale at the Ambler Campus Greenhouse. more
Lecture and Book Signing
Sunday, May 3, 1 pm
Bartram’s Garden
54th St. and Lindbergh Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA
Celebrated author Andrea Wulf provides an illustrated talk about The Brother Gardeners, a book that tells the story of the six men who created the craze for botany and gardening which overtook the public imagination in late eighteenth-century Britain. more
Root Camp
Friday - Saturday, May 8 - 9, 10 am - 4 pm
Burpee’s Fordhook Farm
105 New Britain Road (off Routes 202 & 611)
Doylestown, PA
Learn how to plant a spring garden at this two-day event, which includes seed-starting and planting demonstrations and presentations by Graham Rice and Rosalind Creasy. more
Master Gardener Plant Sale “Grow Native”
Saturday, May 9, 8 am - 2 pm
Burlington County Community Agriculture Center
500 Centerton Road
Moorestown, NJ
The Master Gardener Association of Burlington County sponsors this sale of vegetables, perennials, annuals, herbs and native plants. Call 609-265-5050.
Native Plants Sale
Saturday - Sunday, May 9 - 10, 10 am - 4 pm
Saturday - Sunday, May 23 - 24, 10 am - 4 pm
Yellow Springs Farm
1165 Yellow Springs Road
Chester Springs, PA
Featuring favorite and hard-to-find species and edible fruit choices. Free garden workshops. more
Liberty Bell Gesneriad Society Meeting
Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 pm
Cathedral Village
600 E. Cathedral Road
Philadelphia, PA
Russ Strover will lead a short Power Point discussion on vegetative propagation of gesneriads, followed by a workshop using plants provided by members. Contact Stephen Maciejewski at teciu@verizon.net or 215-985-1456. more
Meeting: West Jersey Rose Society
Wednesday, May 20, 7:30 - 9 pm
Holly Room, Medford Leas Community Building
One Medford Leas Way
Medford, NJ
Program: How to Prepare for a Rose Show. Contact 856-234-6583.
The Garden Conservancy Open Days Program
Saturday, May 24, 10 am - 4 pm
Fordhook Farm
Doylestown, PA
Visit gardens in the Erie area (Erie, Fairview, McKean and North East). Contact info@gardenconservancy.org or 1-888-842-2442. more
Philadelphia Botanical Club
Thursday, May 28, 7:30 pm
Comisky Conference Center
Blank Rome LLP
One Logan Square
(enter on north side of Cherry Street between 18th and19th Streets)
Philadelphia, PA
John Gyer will speak on “The Private Life of Trillium.” Reception will follow. more
The Garden Conservancy Open Days Program
Friday - Saturday, May 30 - 31, 10 am - 4 pm
Fordhook Farm
Doylestown, PA
Visit Bucks County gardens in Erwinna, Gardenville, New Hope, Pipersville, Point Pleasant, Upper Makefield and Wrightstown. Contact info@gardenconservancy.org or 1-888-842-2442. more
14th Annual Newport Flower Show
Friday - Sunday, June 26 - 28
Rosecliff Mansion
Newport, RI
Sponsored by the Preservation Society of Newport County and Bartlett Tree Experts. This year’s theme is “Glorious Green: The Natural Path.” Special guests will include David Howard, former head gardener to HRH Prince Charles at Highgrove, and internationally-acclaimed floral designer Hitomi Gilliam. more
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Plant Sales and Events
See the 2009 Plant Sales and Events on the PHS website for major plant sales and garden tours in the greater Philadelphia region. [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.
Q. I am looking for a purple-flowering shrub growing at least 3 feet and no more than 10 feet, mostly sun but late-afternoon evening shade - thank you. Doreen, Boyertown, PA
A. Vitex agnus-castus, (commonly known as Chastetree) is a dieback shrub in our area and is a Gold Medal Plant. It will be a large shrub. Plant in full sun. Grows 6 to10 feet high in maturity and is deer-resistant. Outstanding! For more garden-worthy suggestions for trees and shrubs, see the Gold Medal Plant section of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society web site. For more suggestions on trees and shrubs for our area, read Ilene Sternberg’s book, Best Garden Plants for Pennsylvania, available for borrowing from the McLean Library.
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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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