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Vol. 3, No. 1 — January 15, 2007
In This Issue:
Garden Photography Tips
Magazine Excerpt: Dear Daphne Odora
January To-Do List
Spotlight Special: Callicarpa dichotoma 'Duet'
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.
If this enewsletter does not display properly in your email browser, please click above on “Read This Issue Online” option.
We encourage you to subscribe to Washington Gardener magazine as well for in-depth articles, inspirational photos, and great garden resources for the Washington DC area gardener.
Without your support, we cannot continue publishing this enewsletter. Our magazine subscription information is at the bottom of this enewsletter.
If you know of any other gardeners in the greater Washington DC area, please forward this email to them so that they can subscribe to this free enewsletter as well using the form at the bottom of the enewsletter or by visiting www.WashingtonGardener.com.
If you are not interested in receiving future issues of the enewsletter, simply follow the Unsubscribe directions also at the bottom of this enewsletter.
The January/February 2007 Washington Gardener magazine is now out. If you subscribe by February 20, you can start your subscription with this issue. Single copies of this issue can be purchased directly from Washington Gardener. The issue is also on sale at area Borders and B. Dalton book stores. This issue's cover story is "Indoor Gardening: Houseplant Care." Also in this issue: daphne selection and care guide; cultivating seeds from native plants; a trip to the USNA Gotelli Conifer Collection; how to propagate house plants; asparagus growing tips and recipes; and, much, much more.
Garden Photography Tips
We are currently accepting entries for our first annual Washington Gardener Photography Contest and the deadline is coming up quickly on January 21. See the full details at our web site's Contests page and on page 13 of the January/February 2007 Washington Gardener magazine. Note that current Washington Gardener magazine subscribers receive a $5 discount off the entry fee and yes, you may subscribe and enter at the same time.
To encourage budding garden photographers, we thought we'd repeat these tips from a previous issue of Washington Gardener Enews:
- Take a few minutes now to familiarize yourself with the camera and look over the enclosed user's manual. Then start testing it out by taking shots around your home.
- If you have digital camera, one of the best features is that you can take hundreds of photos and then wipe then out in just a few seconds. You can feel free to experiment and not have to worry about using up expensive film. In addition, you have instant feedback since you do not have to wait for it to be developed to view the results.
- The best garden photos are taken in the early morning or late afternoon. Even better still is an overcast day. At these times the colors are the most intense and not washed out by the sun.
- Get up close to your plants. Use your macro feature. (If your camera does not have one, exchange it for one that does. This is the only way to get those sharp, clear close-ups.)
- Look for the unusual in your subject matter. Try different angles and settings. Go from above, the side, and underneath.
- Remember to also take some wide shots of whole garden beds and views. Look especially for unique color combinations. You'll be grateful for this photographic record in future planting years.
- Carry your own "background." A piece of heavy, black paper can be placed behind a bloom to block out a busy background or isolate a unique feature.
- Store and index your photos with detailed titles and file names. It is very frustrating to seek out that one photo among your thousands with only numbered names to guide you.
- Have fun with digital technology and inexpensive color printers. Use your photos to create greeting cards, scrapbook pages, t-shirts, and more.
Good luck and remember to get your Washington Gardener Photography Contest entry in by January 21!
Happy Growing!
Kathy Jentz
Editor/Publisher
Washington Gardener
P.S. The winners of our Brookside’s Garden of Lights contest were: Anne Hardman, Kathleen Rapp, and David Fogel, who each won a Garden of Lights car pass to the annual Brookside Gardens light show in Wheaton, MD. Congratulations to them all! Keep reading Washington Gardener's magazine, enewsletter, web site, blog, and online yahoo list for more fun contests and opportunities.
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Local Gardening Events
Here is a selection of upcoming events (January 15 - February 15) in the greater DC area of interest to gardeners:
DC
Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers
January 7, 7:00-9:00pm
West End Library, 1101 24th Street at L Street, NW, Washington, DC
Hosted by the Four Seasons Garden Club
We buy more flowers than Big Macs. We use them to mark our most important events and to express sentiments that might otherwise go unsaid. So it's no surprise that there's a $40 billion global industry devoted to making flowers flawless. What has been gained - and lost- by tinkering with nature? Does it matter if roses have lost their scent? In a global marketplace, is there such a thing as a socially responsible flower? Author Amy Stewart reveals the relevance of flowers in our lives and in our history as she follows the amazing journey they take before their life in the vase begins.
Fee: $0/Free. Preregistration is not required.
For more information: call 202.724.8707 or go to: www.dclibrary.org.
Vanishing Wetlands: Two Views
January 20-May 13, 10:00am-5:00pm
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, foot of the U.S. Capitol
The Vanishing Wetlands: Two Views exhibit in the West Orangerie of the USBG Conservatory exposes the scientific, social, and political impacts of coastal erosion and brings to light a glaring paradox -- what we see and understand to be a "picturesque" view of the wetlands region is greatly at odds with the vast coastal deterioration that is now occurring. In conjunction with the exhibit, the artists will present lectures about vanishing wetlands and the Marsh Mission project.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: call 202.226.4082 or www.usbg.gov
Washington Seed Exchange
January 27, 12:30-4:00pm
National Arboretum Admin Building, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC
The Second Annual Washington Gardener Seed Exchange includes an in-person seed swap, expert garden speakers, amazing door prizes, and a goody bag for each attendee.
Fee: $25 ($5 discount for Washington Gardener magazine subscribers). Preregistration is required.
For more information: visit: www.usna.usda.gov or call 202.245.2726.
MD and PA
Spring Display and Sculpture Show
January 20-April 15, 10:00am-5:00pm
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton MD
Spring comes early in the conservatories, when the planting beds are filled with flowering bulbs, annuals, perennials and shrubs full of color and fragrance. Displayed among the plants are sculptures for sale, made by regional artists. From serious to whimsical, abstract to representational, the sculptures selected are chosen to show a variety of materials, such as stone, steel, resins and polymers, and both new and found materials. The sculptures are placed to compliment or contrast with the planted surroundings, enhancing the viewers' experience of both. Works may be purchased.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.brooksidegardens.org
How to Make Your Own Rain Garden
February 14, 7:30-9:00pm
Kensington Library, 4201 Knowles Ave., Kensington, MD
For those interested in a low maintenance landscape, native plants, helping to keep streams clean and recharging groundwater, this seminar will cover it all. Rain gardens are specially designed to contain and filter stormwater runoff from paved surfaces with a progression of blooms throughout the growing season.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.goinggreenathome.org, or call 301.495.1328.
7th Annual Land Ethics Symposium: Creative Approaches for Ecological Landscaping
February 15, 8:00am-4:00pm
Sheraton Bucks County Hotel, Langhorne, PA
The symposium, sponsored by Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, focuses on ways to create economical and ecologically balanced landscapes using native plants and restoration techniques. It is geared towards landscape architects, designers, contractors and other members of the landscape/horticulture industry, environmental consultants, public and private landowners, land planners, managers and developers, state and municipal officials, and students.
Fee: $95, fulltime students $65; includes continental breakfast, refreshment break, lunch. Preregistration is required.
For more information, go to www.bhwp.org or call 215.862.2924.
VA and WV
Indoor Plant Workshop: Beyond the Usual Suspects
January 27, 9:30-11:30am
Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA
Are you tired of winter and lusting for green? Get your hands in the soil and make an indoor container garden for your table. Mary Frogale, Green Spring horticulturalist emphasizes out of the ordinary, dynamic plants that thrive in the indoor winter environment. Plants, soil and containers will be provided.
Fee: $48. Registration is required.
For more information: www.greenspring.org or call 703.642.5173.
Building a BETTER Backyard Habitat!
January 31, 7:00-9:00pm
Arlington Central Library Auditorium, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA
The program will cover creating residential meadow habitats, tips for a beautiful backyard habitat year round, new and wonderful Virginia native plants, and the strategic importance of backyard habitats to a healthy urban environment. The event will conclude with a brief panel discussion between the speakers in response to audience questions.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.arlingtonenvironment.org or call 703.575.7608.
Low Maintenance Gardening Classes
February 6-March 27, Tuesdays, 10:00am-2:00pm
Catoctin Presbyterian Church (Loudoun County), 15565 High Street, Waterford, VA
Come and learn practical, no-nonsense techniques to reduce maintenance and increase gardening enjoyment and success. Join me for a congenial and lively look at the reality of designing low-maintenance into your herb, rose, mixed border and vegetable gardens.
Fee: $192/8 classes. Single class: $36. Registration is required.
For more information: www.dwfinegardening.com or call 540.877.2002.
Special Event: Philadelphia Flower Show Group Tour
Philadelphia Flower Show Tour
March 7, Wednesdays, 10:00am-10:00pm
Departing from and returning to downtown Silver Spring, MD
The Philadelphia Flower Show is the largest indoor flower show in the world. This year’s theme is Legends of Ireland. Enjoy the award-winning displays, hear a lecture, watch a demonstration, and shop the marketplace. Lunch is provided. Dinner is on your own. Surprises and prizes will be awarded along the journey. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Fee: $80 ($5 discount for Washington Gardener magazine subscribers). Preregistration is required by January 31.
For more information: www.chevalsgardentours.com or call 703.395.1501.
For even more area garden event notices than we can't possibly squeeze in here, become a member of our free online discussion group. To join the email list serv, just send an email to: WashingtonGardener-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
To submit an event for this listing, please contact: editor@washingtongardener.com.
Our next deadline is February 12 for the February 15 edition of this enewsletter featuring events from February 15 - March 15.
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Spotlight Special: Callicarpa dichotoma 'Duet'
Dr. Sandra Reed of the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) has tested and just recently released a variegated beautyberry -- Callicarpa dichotoma 'Duet'. ‘Duet’ is a variegated sport of Callicarpa dichtomata var. albafructus that was discovered in 2000 by Dr. Gary Bachman and Mr. Edgar Davis at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. ‘Duet’ was selected for its variegated foliage. It is the first stable variegated
beautyberry. Like other Callicarpa, its disease and insect tolerant foliage make it an ideal plant for a low maintenance landscape.
'Duet' will reach 6 feet tall and 6.5 feet wide in four years. It is a deciduous, rounded shrub with medium green boasting distinct yellow margins.
The flowers are inconspicuous. Small white fruits appear in late summer and persist through mid-autumn. It is suggested for use as background planting in the shrub border, specimen plant, deciduous hedge or screen, mass planted in large areas. 'Duet' is hardy to USDA Zones 5-8 although some winter dieback may occur in colder areas of adaptation. It performs best in light shade.
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What's Blooming
Unusually warm spells have caused last year's annuals to stick around and prompted some spring-bloomers to leaf out. Our readers reported the following blooms and items of interest in their gardens during the first week of January:
Ursula Sabia Sukinik of North Bethesda, MD, has:
Callicarpa D. ‘Issai” (berries)
Grass heads and foliage
Hydrangea 'annabel' dried heads
Hydrangea quercifolia bark
Hypericum perforatum (berries)
Ilex opaca
Kale
Nandina seed heads
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ flower heads
In your editor's own garden in my MD/DC-border site:
Alyssum
Dianthus (annual)
Grass and seed heads
Heather
Primrose
Vinca
Winter Jasmine
Compare to last year's January blooming lists in our January 2006 issue. Let us know what is blooming or of particular interest in your garden during the first week of February. 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 February 12 and we’ll note it in our February 15 issue.
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January To-Do List
Here is our combined garden task listing from the previous January 2005 and January 2006 issues:
- Prune any dead or diseased wood.
- Plant frost-tolerant trees.
- Cut off the flower stalk on your amaryllis once the flowers fade.
- Keep poinsettias in a well-lit area - but out of direct sun and away from drafts.
- Buy a few new house plants.
- Fertilize your winter-blooming house plants – such as Violets – cut back on fertilizing all others.
- Give your house plants a quarter turn every few weeks.
- Build a compost bin.
- Repair your shed.
- Repair and paint your fences.
- Clean out your cold frame.
- Collect large plastic soda bottles to use as cloches.
- Clean and refill bird feeders.
- Wash and refill the birdbath or set out a shallow bowl of water in icy weather.
- Check on stored bulbs and seeds.
- Buy seeds and order plants from the new garden catalogs.
- Prune summer bloomers such as hydrangeas, rose-of-sharon, crepe myrtles, and butterfly bushes.
- Till and add organic matter to annual/vegetable beds.
- Weed – especially look for fast-growing vines such as honeysuckle, autumn clematis, bittersweet, wild grape, Virginia creeper, and poison ivy.
- Place a floating ball or a small plastic soda bottle filled two-thirds full with water and a tablespoon of salt in your pond to stop icing over especially if you have fish. When ice has formed, remove the ball or bottle by pouring hot water over the surface.
- Insulate outdoor containers by wrapping them with bubble wrap or landscape fabric.
- Take a walk and look for deciduous woody ornamentals that create striking silhouettes during the shortest days of the year. Look for Harry Lauder’s walking stick, corkscrew willow, and weeping cherry. They could be great additions for your own garden as well.
- Check that newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials have not been heaved out of the ground due to freezing and thawing cycles.
- Take hardwood cuttings from willow and dogwood.
- Look for evidence of pest or fungal damage.
- Clean out your greenhouse and wash those windows.
- Set out your live potted evergreens from holiday decorating in a protected outdoor space.
- If we do get snow in the DC area, gently dislodge snow from trees and shrubs with a broom to prevent damage to branches.
- Start hardy herbs, onions, cabbage, pansies, and perennials.
- Clean and tidy up pots and seed trays to a get good start in February.
- Use leftover holiday greens and cut up tree branches to mulch beds and create wind-breaks.
- Do not step on frozen soil in flower beds or lawns.
- Keep all houseplants out of drafts and away from heat vents.
- Use de-icer sparingly or use a nonchemical substitute such as sand or kitty litter.
- Volunteer at a local public or historic garden.
- Paint a few terra cotta pots in spring-like colors.
- Pot-up any leftover bulbs that did not make it into the ground by now and force them for indoor blooms.
Have a wonderful 2007 growing season!
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Magazine Excerpt: Dear Daphne Odora by Kate Tyndall
It’s the first whiff of that alluring perfume winter daphne (Daphne odora) exudes that arrests most gardeners and leads them into the rocky relationship that most experience with this capricious charmer. With their slender lance-shaped leaves, dense rounded shape, and clusters of super fragrant waxy star-shaped blooms at the branch tips, daphnes are appealing landscape shrubs. When you add these attributes to the fact that many of the species are evergreen and flower in winter, you have a plant that is well-nigh irresistible.
Since this is high daphne season, you are at high risk of being beguiled into securing one for your own patch because you never know where one might be lurking and that intoxicating scent carries a long way on the crisp cold air. Should the inevitable happen, here’s a primer on this inconstant miss.
You may as well know the worst. Daphnes are prone to sudden, inexplicable death. They also resent being transplanted. Slow growers, they require sharp drainage — a tall order in our area — and perfectly calibrated moisture levels. Add to that, even longtime growers are often of differing opinions about the care and feeding of daphnes.
Daphnes need...
Read the rest of this article including a sidebar on Daphne Cultivation in the January/February 2007 issue of Washington Gardener magazine.
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Next Issue
The February 2007 issue of Washington Gardener Enews will cover Hardening Off Seedlings.
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Edited by Kathy Jentz
Contact: editor@washingtongardener.com or 301.588.6894.
©Washington Gardener 2007
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