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Vol. 2, No. 7 — July 15, 2006
In This Issue:
Watering Without Waste
Beautyberry Provides Mosquito Relief
July To-Do List
Spotlight Special: Christmas in July
What's Blooming
Local Gardening Events
Welcome to the
Washington Garden Enews!
This is the free sister publication of Washington Gardener magazine.
Both the magazine and enewsletter share the same mission and focus — helping Washington DC area gardens grow — but our content is different.
In this monthly enewsletter, we will:
address timely seasonal topics and projects; post local garden events; and, include a monthly reminder list of what you can be doing now in your garden.
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New Issue Out! The July/August 2006 Washington Gardener magazine is now available. It has been mailed to all subscribers and single issues can be purchased directly from Washington Gardener at our Open Garden Days (see event details below) or at area Borders and B. Dalton book stores. This issue focuses on theme gardening including a story on Virginia's 400th Anniversary Celebration. Also in this issue is a hydrangea care guide, feature on hardy agaves, growing a Victory Garden, and much, much more.
Watering Without Waste
So far in 2006, our gardens have gone from drought to deluge and now back to drought again. Typically in the greater Washington metropolitan region, the next six weeks of the summer calendar are our driest period of the year. On top of that, it is typically the same time that we gardeners abandon our plants for a few days or weeks of much-deserved rest. But what can we do to ensure our green buddies are still alive and thriving when we return from vacation? Here are a few tips for keeping them moist along with my personal pointers for saving water in general:
- Try one of the various polymers on the market such as SoilMoist. When you plant up your containers, mix the polymers in with the potting soil. Follow the directions exactly – a little goes a long way.
Already planted up all your containers? It’s not too late to add polymers now by gently poking in a pencil near the roots and adding the hydrated polymers in the hold. This also works for planting directly in the ground as well. If you have a plant that is especially thirsty, add polymers around the base of it so that you do not have to water so often.
- Install a rain barrel. You can make one yourself at numerous area workshops or purchase one from a garden supply company. Use it to hand water any container plants. Mine seem to greatly appreciate the rain water versus the chlorinated tape stuff.
- Bring a bucket or two in the shower with you. Collect the soapy and rinse water to dump on your thirsty plants. This “gray water” is actually provided a bit of bug-resistance to your plants as well as giving them a good drink.
- Water in the early morning. You’ve heard this before, but if you want to minimize evaporation and get the most benefit from your waterings you’ll do it early and for bonus points pick an overcast day to beat the drying effects of the summer sun. (This will ensure it will rain right afterwards as well!)
- Measure and time your watering. Set a kitchen timer or set out cleaned tuna cans to keep track of how much you are doing each time. Optimally, you will water your garden and lawn just once or twice a week and give it a good slow, long drink of 1-to-2 inches. Don’t forget your trees!
- Invest in soaker hoses, flow timers, and extra water outlets to make your task easier and more precise. No need to over water or let the excess flow down the sewer drain.
- If it rains more than an inch any week, don’t water that week! Override your timers if you have them. Nothing is more wasteful than having lawn sprinklers going full blast during or right after a good rain.
- Make a point to check your container plants daily. They dry our much quicker than those in the ground and may also be blocked by porch roofs or other obstructions from receiving direct rain.
- Make a drip irrigation system out of recycled soda bottles. This is perfect for watering your containers while you’re away for a time. There are many sources for directions on this project. Here is one that I found especially easy to follow and do at yougrowgirl.com.
- Look for other water sources around your home. I often dip a watering can into my pond and give my tomato plants a nice healthy dose of it. When you clean out your birdbath, dump the old water on nearby green things. When it really rains, put out a few extra containers to collect that as well. You may be able to connect a hose to your clothes washer, dehumidifier, or AC unit to re-use that gray water as well. Look with new eyes at all the water you use and could possibly re-use.
May you are your plants be in the best of health and well-hydrated throughout the growing season!
Happy Growing!
Kathy Jentz
Editor/Publisher
Washington Gardener
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Local Gardening Events
Here is a selection of upcoming events in the DC area of interest to gardeners:
DC
Garden Tours: Mary Livingston Ripley Garden
Every Tuesday through Octobrr 31, 2:00pm, weather permitting,
Smithsonian, Ripley Garden (between Hirshhorn Museum and Arts & Industries Building), Washington, DC
The Mary Livingston Ripley Garden includes 200 varieties of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, vines, and ground covers. Outdoor tour featured by the Horticulture Services Division. Meet at sign near fountain.
Fee: $0/Free. Preregistration is not required.
For more information: visit: www.si.edu.
Lotus Watercolor Workshop
July 29, 9:00am-1:00pm
U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave., NE, Washington, DC
Locally renowned artist and teacher Jean Brinton-Jaecks will inspire and instruct students in the interpretation of light and atmosphere through the medium of watercolor. This workshop will help students understand how to capture the light and life of an aquatic garden, including waterlilies, lotus, and koi. Students will learn to employ dry brush, glazes, and washes.
Fee: $75 ($60 FONA members). Registration is required.
For more information: call 202.245.4521 or go to: www.usna.usda.gov/Education.
Lines on Paper: How Fantasy Becomes a Garden
Opens July 29 and runs through January 15, 2007.
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, foot of the U.S. Capitol
The Lines on Paper exhibit spotlights the work of Longwood Planning and Design Leader Tres Fromme, who led the design team for Longwood's Children's Garden. By way of dramatic drawings and sketches, exhibit visitors will meet many of the Children's Garden's imaginative residents, including the Drooling Dragon, Spitting Fish, Pelican, Turtle, and Hummingbird. A maquette of the Spitting Turtle, accompanied by photos of the piece's fabrication, offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the making of these unique works of art that will enchant young visitors to the Children's Garden. "My goal has been to achieve the fantastical, giving a unique and imaginative spin to everyday flora and fauna,” says Fromme. "The art we are planning for the garden is but one of many delights and stimulants in a fantastical
world of horticultural wonder."
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: call 202.226.4082 or www.usbg.gov
MD and PA
Summer Fragrance: Herb Walk
July 18 and again on August 15, 10:00-11:00am
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton MD
Step off the path and surround yourself with herbs on Brookside’s newly renovated Herb Hill. Lisa Tayerle, Brookside Gardens Staff, has led the renovation and knows the Hill’s inhabitants intimately. Join her and your fellow herb enthusiasts for a fragrant and informative walk. Meet in the Fragrance Garden
Fee: $5. Registration is required.
For more information: www.brooksidegardens.org
Bus Tour to Longwood Gardens
July 20, 7:00am-6:00pm
Depart Lilypons Water Gardens, Adamstown, MD
Bus Tour to Longwood Gardens - Celebrate National Water Gardening Month & Longwood Garden's 100th Anniversary! Depart Lilypons Water Gardens at 7:00 am & arrive
at Longwood Gardens at 10:00 AM. Private guided tour of Longwood including tour of the water gardens with Patrick Nutt. Lunch at the Terrace Gardens, plus plenty of free time to explore. Depart at 3:30 pm and arrive back at Lilypons Water Gardens at 6:00 PM. Package includes transportation, lunch, admission to Longwood Gardens, and guided tour.
Fee: $75. Registration is required.
For more information, go to www.lilypons.com or call 800.999.5459.
Washington Gardener Open Garden Days!
Friday afternoons July 21 through August 18, 3:00-6:00pm
826 Philadelphia Ave (Rt. 410), Silver Spring, MD
Washington Gardener magazine will have Open Garden hours where you can sign up for subscriptions or renew in person. You can also buy back issues, current issues, and gift subscriptions. Additionally, we will have guest artists on July 21 and various plants for sale. The Open Garden is rain or shine. We are an easy walk from both the Silver Spring and Takoma Park metro stops. Also, several Metro and Ride-On bus routes pass nearby. If driving, please pull in our driveway off of Fenton Street - this is directly across from the Public Storage building.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.washingtongardener.com.
VA and WV
Heather Cronin Art Exhibit In and About the Garden
From July 19 to September 13, 2006
River Farm, 7931 East Boulevard Dr., Alexandria, VA
Heather Cronin’s exhibit “In and About the Garden” will be at George Washington’s River Farm, the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. Working in oils and watercolors, Ms. Cronin says “The work is about my garden and the beauty I have seen in other gardens this past year.” Also featured will be the photographs of Burt Miller. His works show the sculptures Cronin created during her earlier years. The public is invited to meet the artist during a special reception that will be held at River Farm on Friday, July 21 from 6 PM to 8 PM. The exhibit will be displayed in the main house at River Farm, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM as well as Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information, call 703.768.5700 or email www.ahs.org.
Creating a Spectacular Butterfly and Hummingbird Haven
Wednesday, July 19, Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23 at 1:30pm
Viette Nurseries, 994 Long Meadow Rd., Fishersville, VA
Who doesn't love to see the colorful butterflies skirting and flirting around the gardens! Did you know that there are plants which act as "hosts" for the larvae and plants which supply nectar for the adults? Come to this valuable lecture and you can discover the marvelous perennials, annuals, and shrubs which attract these delightful creatures!
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is recommended.
For more information: www.inthegardenradio.com or call 800.575.5538.
Edible and Medicinal Plant Hike
July 22
For Love of Children Outdoor Education Center, 671 FLOC Way. Harpers Ferry, WV
Take a guided hike on our trails and learn to identify edible and medicinal plants native to our area.
Preregistration is required.
For details, call 304.725.0409 or go to www.flocoutdoors.org.
To submit an event for this listing, please contact: editor@washingtongardener.com.
Our next deadline is August 12 for the August 15 edition of this enewsletter featuring events from August 15-September 15.
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Spotlight Special: Christmas in July!
There are designer jeans and designer sheets, and now there is Oregon’s
Noble Vintage, the world’s first real designer Christmas tree. Raised in the
award-winning wine country of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the stunning Noble
Fir, which is a lush, blue-green, fresh forest-scented tree with upturned soft
needles and stiff branches, debuted for the 2004 holiday season and is now available nationwide.
A specially designed gold ribbon with glimmers of gold metallic lettering and
a stamp of authenticity distinguish each Oregon Noble Vintage tree. Grown
under strict supervision and to the exacting standards of expert growers with
more than 100 years experience, each Oregon’s Noble Vintage tree has been
nurtured for an average of 10 years. Upon individual selection, the tree is
carefully packaged and transported in temperature-controlled trucks to
preserve its farm freshness.
“Finding that special Christmas tree is a very personal tradition that evokes
emotions passed through generations,” says Joseph Sharp of Yule Tree Farms.
“The Oregon’s Noble Vintage designer Christmas tree is an original breed with
a majestic look, fragrance and freshness that only comes from being raised and
brought to market with the finest care. We are excited to debut this holiday
gem, and encourage people to reserve an Oregon’s Noble Vintage now, as we
anticipate our ‘Inaugural Edition’ will be in short supply in the Northeast.”
For more information, visit www.oregonsnoblevintage.com.
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What's Blooming
Hot enough for you?!? Some plants are loving this such as the amazing Lotus flowers at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens this month, while others such as the leftover pansies in planter boxes around the city are wilting horribly. Our readers reported the following blooms and items of interest in their gardens during the past week of July:
Jim Dronenburg in Knoxville, MD, has: Amarcrinum and crinums, Buddlejas, various, incl. B. lindleyana, Campanula poscharskyana (until the voles find ‘em), Cephalanthus (buttonbush, just ending), Clematis, bush type, unknown, Corydalis lutea, others, Deinanthe caerulia (no common name, hydrangea relative), Dianthus (‘annual’ types), Dicentra scandens, Gardenia ‘Chuck Hayes’, Hemerocallis (daylilies), various, Hosta, several, Hydrangeas (various bigleaf, and oakleaf), Hypericum, 3’ tall, sm yellow flrs, woody, tiny willowlike leaves, Lagerstromerias (crepe myrtles), Lavendula, various, mostly x intermedia ‘Province’, Lilium sargentiae, L. tigrinum starting to color, Linum perenne, ending, Magnolia grandiflora ‘Edith Bogue’, Matricaria (feverfew), Nicotiana sylvestris, Pinellia, 2k,
Roses (various), Salvia guaranitica, annual salvias, S. greggii, Spiraeas (2), and Vitex agnus-castis (chaste tree). Potted plants: Orchids, several, Zephyranthes , unknown, pass-along plant (note, many zephyranthes are hardy out for me, this one may be also, but I don’t want to lose it, it’s an heirloom.).
Ursula Sabia Sukinik of North Bethesda, MD, has: Ajuga burgundy glow, Alcea rosea, Alumn, Asiatic lilies, Azaleas sp, Bletilla striata, Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Callicarpa D. ‘Issai”, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum "Becky", Clematic ‘Nelly Moser’, Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam', Corydalis sp, Dianthus- Sweet William, Dragon Arum (Dracunculus vulgaris), Echinacea purpurea, Geranium maculatum & ‘max frei’, Helianthus tuberosus, Hemerocallis Stella De Oro (daylily), Heuchera 'Pewter Veil', hosta, Hydrangea 'Annabel', Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Pee Wee’ and ‘Snow Queen’, Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort), Impatiens, Itea little henry, Lobiela, Nicotiana ‘Sylvestris’, Nicotiana alata 'Lime Green', Oxalis regnellii 'Triangularis', Rosa' knock out' and ‘Meidiland’’, Salvia elegans (pineapple
sage), Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue', Schizophragma hydrangeoides (false climbing hydrangea), Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum), Tiarella 'black snowflake', Tricyrtis sp (toad lilies), and Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens).
In your editor's own garden in my MD/DC-border site: alyssum, aster monch, bee balm, hardy begonia, buddlieia butterfly bush Black Knight, beautyberry, Campanula punctata 'Rubriflora', caryopteris, Coreopsis moonbeam, cosmos, Common Tiger daylily, dianthus, echinacea, euonymus, Gallardia blanket flower, hardy geranium, zonal geranium, goldenrod, Hollyhock, hostas, hydrangea Endless Summer, impatiens, Johnny jump up, lamb’s ear, Lavender Munstead and Hidcote, liatris, liriope, marigolds, melon, mums, Ozark strawberry, petunias, pickerel weed, tall phlox, rose campion, Rose of Sharon, Roses: mutabilis, mini yellow, alba meidiland; Rudbeckia black-eyed susan, Russian sage, Saxifraga, Shasta daisy, snapdragons, spiderwort, trumpet vine, verbena-on-a-stick, and hardy pink water lily.
Let us know what is blooming or of particular interest in your garden during the first week of August. Please include your name, city, state, and a plant list in alphabetical order. You may also send low-res digital images. Send to editor@washingtongardener.com by August 12 and we’ll note it in our August 15 issue.
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July To-Do List
We've completed a whole year of garden to-do lists for our region. Last year's July list can be found in our July 2005 issue. Here are a few more tasks and chores to add to the previous listing:
- Check your plants at night with a flashlight for any night-feeding insects like slugs.
- Deadhead your perennials.
- Prune boxwoods and take cuttings to start new plants.
- Pinchback mums so they grow bushier and wait to flower in autumn.
- Holding off on planting new trees and shrubs until the summer heat is past.
- Caulk and seal your outside walls to prevent insect entry into your home.
- Harvest regularly from your vegetable garden to prevent rot and waste.
- Put up a hammock or a garden bench to enjoy your views.
- Turn compost pile.
- Check out gardening books from your local library to read on vacation.
- Add Mosquito Dunks to any standing water in your yard such as birdbath, downspouts, plant saucers, and gutters.
Gather roses to enjoy indoors and make sure to make the cut just above a five-leaf unit.
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Beautyberry Provides Mosquito Relief
A traditional folk remedy, known among people in Mississippi's hill country for at least a century, may provide some relief without all the worries of DEET and other harsh chemicals. Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service housed at the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi have isolated compounds in the American beautyberry plant, Callicarpa americana, that may keep chomping insects away.
"My grandfather would cut branches with the leaves still on them and crush the leaves, then he and his brothers would stick the branches between the harness and the horse to keep deerflies, horseflies and mosquitoes away," said Charles T. Bryson, an ARS botanist in Stoneville. "I was a small child, maybe 7 or 8 years old, when he told me about the plant the first time. For almost 40 years, I've grabbed a handful of leaves, crushed them and rubbed them on my skin with the same results."
Bryson told his supervisor about the folklore repellent, and in 2004 the USDA-ARS at the UM natural products research center began investigating the beautyberry plant as a potential natural insect repellent. Three repellent chemicals were extracted during the 12-month study: callicarpenal, intermedeol and spathulenol. The research concluded that all three chemicals repulse mosquitoes known to transmit yellow fever and malaria. For more information about research at NCNPR, go to: www.olemiss.edu.
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Next Issue
The August issue of Washington Gardener Enews will cover Local Farmer's Markets.
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Edited by Kathy Jentz
Contact: editor@washingtongardener.com or 301.588.6894.
©Washington Gardener 2006
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