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Vol. 4, No. 5 — May 15, 2008
In This Issue:
Temperate Tropicals
Magazine Excerpt: Build a Better Tomato Cage
May To-Do List
Spotlight Special: Gardener’s Confidence Loripetalum
Reader Contest: Annapolis Secret Garden Tour Passes
Local Gardening Events
Welcome to the
Washington Gardener 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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The May/June 2008 Washington Gardener magazine is available now. If you subscribe by June 25, 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, Barnes and Noble, and B. Dalton book stores plus many independent stores like the USNA's Arbor House. This issue's cover story is "Growing Great Tomatoes." It also includes stories on Mount Vernon, Gladilous, Honey Locust, Gypsy Moth, and, much, much more.
Temperate Tropicals
Some like it hot, while others just like to make their gardens look like they live on the equator. We caught up with John Boggan, a Washingtonian and organizer of the DCTropics group, for a few tips on turning your Mid-Atlantic backyard into a stunning tropical heat wave.
"Just about any tropical plants thrive in our area's summer heat and humidity," said John. "There aren't many truly tropical plants that will survive our winters without extensive protection -- in most cases you need to either dig them up and grow them in the house or a greenhouse (or store dormant tubers, etc.) or just buy new ones the next spring."
John observed, "We grow many tropical plants as annuals (including plants like impatiens, which most people don't think of as tropical), but the hardy ones are usually either subtropical in origin, are hardy relatives of primarily tropical or subtropical groups (e.g., Musa basjoo, Begonia grandis), or are simply superficially tropical-looking."
"If you're only growing them as annuals you absolutely cannot go wrong with bananas, cannas, or elephant ears of any kind," John suggested. "Canna 'Musifolia' is a large-growing banana-like canna that is especially impressive. Many bananas will do well but only Musa basjoo is reliably hardy here (along with a less-common banana relative, Musella lasiocarpa)."
"I don't do a lot of preparation for my tropicals," remarked John. "I do add a lot of compost (Homemade, if I have it; otherwise, Leafgro.) when planting, along with some dried blood and bone meal, and greensand for the bananas because they appreciate extra potassium. I'm not strictly organic so I do usually fertilize the really greedy, fast-growing tropicals with Osmocote 19-6-12 early in the year, and occasionally with Miracle-Gro Miracid during the growing season. These plants really respond to fertilizer. And water! Most of the really lush tropicals will do best if they never dry out." Other tropical enthusiasts swear by Milorganite, but we cannot recommend it anywhere near an edible garden or where pets or young children will play.
John shared that he does not give most of his plants extensive protection in winter. "I will often protect a marginally hardy plant during its first winter in the ground, but after that I rely almost entirely on mulch -- as long as the roots don't freeze, many marginal plants have a good chance of surviving even if their leaves suffer extensive damage. I want to be able to grow plants with minimal protection -- partly because I'm just too lazy to go to the trouble of providing extensive protection every winter!" That is my kind of easy, low-maintenance gardening!
Happy Growing!
Kathy Jentz
Editor/Publisher
Washington Gardener
P.S. Our Washington Gardener PhotoSynthesis Show is closing on May 22. If you have not seen the winning photo contest entries in person, get over to the Adams Bank lobby gallery in th World Building, Silver Spring, MD, this week.
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Local Gardening Events
Here is a selection of upcoming events (May 16-June 15) in the greater DC area of interest to gardeners:
DC
Shepherd Park Garden Tour
May 18, 1:00-4:00pm
Shepherd Park neighborhood in NW, Washington, DC
Nine gardens will be open for your enjoyment and inspiration on this tour. Perennials, terraces, winding walkways, and other special features make these outdoor spaces a visual delight. This self-guided tour allows you to leisurely peruse some of the beauty found in the DC neighborhoods of Shepherd Park, Colonial Village, and North Portal Estates. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the Shepherd Elemenatry starting at 12:45pm.
Washington Gardener Magazine subscribers get a $2 discount off the $15 tour fee by showing their mail label from the front of the current issue.
Fee: $15. Preregistration is not required.
For more information: www.shepherdpark.org or call 202.829.6886.
A Man Named Pearl Documentary Opening
Opens May 23 for expected two-week run
The Avalon Theatre, 5612 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC
A Man Named Pearl tells the inspiring story of self-taught topiary artist and gardener Pearl Fryar. It is a subtle and intriguing
film that is certain to open hearts and minds. It offers an upbeat message that speaks to respect for both self and others, and shows what
one person can achieve when he allows himself to share the full expression of his humanity.
Fee: $10. Preregistration is not required.
For more information, call 202.966.6000 or visit www.theavalon.org.
Historic Gems of Georgetown: Museum and Garden Tours at Dumbarton Oaks, Tudor Place, and Dumbarton House
Jne 1, 12:00noon-4:00pm
Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, 1644 31st Street, NW, Washington, DC
Celebrate spring in Georgetown! This special program takes you inside three of Georgetown’s most historic houses and gardens at a very special price. Stroll through 16 acres of majestically designed gardens at Dumbarton Oaks. Discover 180 years of Georgetown history as you tour the 1816 mansion and gardens at Tudor Place. Explore early Georgetown history while touring Dumbarton House, a ca. 1800 historic home.
Fee: $12 for advanced registration or $15 thereafter. Ticket price includes admission to all three museums.
For more information, call 202.965.0400 ext. 100 or www.tudorplace.org.
MD and PA
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Native Plant Sale
May 17 and 18, 10am–4pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Road, 2.5 miles south of New Hope, PA
Over 200 species of high-quality native wildflowers, vines, ferns, shrubs
and trees will be available to purchase. Staff and volunteers will be on
hand to help you choose plants for your site and to answer questions. Free
resource material is available, including plant lists for specific growing
conditions and to attract birds and butterflies.
Fee: $0/Free. Pre-registration is not required.
For more information: 215.862.2924 or www.bhwp.org.
Making More Plants: Plant Propagation Class
May 29, 10:00am-12:00noon
Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Rd., Ridgely, MD
Making more plants from what you already have lets you share plants and add to your own garden. Learn about growing plants from seed, dividing plants, layering, and taking cuttings. This will be a hands-on class at the Arboretum’s nursery; participants will take home plants divided in the class.
Fee: $15 Adkins members, $18 general public. Pre-registration is required.
For more information: www.adkinsarboretum.org or call 410.634.2847.
Fragrant Woody Plants
May 30, 10:00-11:30am
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton MD
The foundation of an ideally landscaped home includes both deciduous and evergreen flowering shrubs and trees, the choice carefully considered to enhance the style and design of the site. But the job is incomplete without at least a few flowering specimens offering the bonus of their delicious scent on summer breeze ... or the pleasure of pungent foliage in winter air. This slide presentation by Diane Lewis of Brookside Gardens Staff features the wide and varied selection of small shrubs to modest sized trees that bring the added dimension of fragrance to your garden.
Fee: $0/Free. Pre-registration is required.
For more information, call 301-962-1400 or go to www.brooksidegardens.org.
VA and WV
Spring Garden Day at Green Spring Gardens
May 17, 9:00am-3:00pm
4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA
More than 40 vendors of rare and unusual plants descend on Green Spring Gardens to fill your spring gardening needs! Friends of Green Spring (FROGS) receive 10% off plants in the Garden Gate Plant Shop. Don't miss this exciting annual tradition.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.greenspring.org or call 703.642.5173.
Maymont Day at Sandy's Plants
May 17, 9:00am-2:00pm
Sandy’s Plants, Inc., Mechanicsville, VA
This great day of plant shopping to benefit Maymont just got even better! Start the morning with free coffee and a tour with Sandy McDougle, owner of Sandy's Plants, Inc., in her own garden. Then as you browse through more than 2,200 types of perennials in the nursery, keep your eyes peeled for hidden prizes in a new scavenger hunt among the plants. Need some gardening tips? Stop by one of the new Plant Information Stations where experts can help you decide which perennials are best for your garden. 50% of all sales go to Maymont!
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is recommended.
Visit www.maymont.org or call 804.358.7166.
River Farm Annual Family Picnic
May 18, 3:00-6:00pm
George Washington’s River Farm, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA
Traditional picnic fare, tree-climbing with The Care of Trees arborists, acoustic guitar riffs from Doug Segree, raffle prizes, and face-painting are just a few of the highlights of this year's activities.
Fee: $100 per family. Preregistration is required.
For more information: www.ahs.org or call 703.768.5700, ext. 114.
Washington Gardener Special Event
Maryland Master Gardener Program Turns 30
Congratulations to the Maryland Master Gardener Program now celebrating 30 years of education and service to Marylanders. Governor Martin O’Malley has issued a proclamation naming May 2008 “Maryland Master Gardener Month” in recognition of the positive impact the 30-year-old program has had on gardening and landscaping practices throughout the state. The Master Gardener Program relies on a “train the trainer” approach, with faculty from the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources educating private citizens, who then share what they have learned with others. Last year alone, 1,119 trained volunteer Master Gardeners contributed more than 72,000 hours of service valued at nearly $1.4 million. For more information on the program, please visit mastergardener.umd.edu.
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 and put "Event" in the email subject head. PLEASE NO ATTACHMENTS! Our next deadline is June 12 for the June 15 edition of this enewsletter featuring events from May 16-June 15.
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Spotlight Special: Gardener’s Confidence Loripetalum
As most people’s idea of gardening changes due to space limitations, compact growing plants are an especially attractive option and a growing trend. The Ever Red Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense ‘Chang Nian Hong’), part of the exclusive Gardener’s Confidence Collection, is a new, compact variety that fits the bill perfectly. Its size makes it ideal for container gardening or as an accent in small or large gardens. It likes full sun to part shade and is suitable for zones 7-9.
This specially developed plant features unique deep, vivid red blooms in late winter to early spring. Extremely dark burgundy foliage retains its color throughout summer making it a multi-season beauty. Even better, the Ever Red Loropetalum is drought-tolerant once established making it perfect for hot spells. The blooms and foliage offer vivid red for the garden throughout most of the year. It is also deer and mildew resistant.
Find out more and locate your nearest area Gardener’s Confidence retailer at www.gardenersconfidence.com.
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Reader Contest
For our May 2008 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, Washington Gardener is giving out several sets of two passes each (worth $50 per set) to the 9th annual Annapolis Secret Garden Tour. This tour takes place the afternoons of May 31 and June 1 in historic downtown Annapolis, MD.
The ninth annual Secret Garden Tour is proud to be an Annapolis Charter 300 event. Gardens; circa 1800 and earlier, will celebrate this honor by featuring gardens of homes in Annapolis’ Historic District built before 1800. Throughout the City, garden enthusiasts will enter the intimate and charming outdoor spaces of these early residences. They will see for themselves why Annapolis is recognized for its 18th c architecture including outdoor spaces. The gardens of Maryland’s four signers of the Declaration of Independence featured on this tour exemplify the “Golden Age” of Annapolis. Between the 18th c. mansions and vernacular homes on this tour, the gardens range from formal, old boxwood to informal perennial; from a truly
secret retreat to a quiet park on a busy street. The gardens are an interesting mix of sun and shade with an array of plants, statuary, and ponds created in many different urban spaces. Each garden is unique and demonstrates the personality and needs of the individual garden owners.
The tour gives attendees the chance to gather information for their personal use in their own gardens. It also provides the opportunity to discover and examine some of the wonderful treasures of Annapolis that have only been glimpsed when walking by. To add to the enjoyment of the day, musicians will be playing and artists will be painting in selected gardens. Refreshments will be provided by local pastry shops and the kitchens of our volunteers.
To enter to win the Secret Garden Tour passes, send an email with "Annapolis Secret" in the subject line to WashingtonGardener@rcn.com by 5:00pm on May 29. In the body of the email include your full name and address. The pass winner will be announced and notified on May 30.
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May To-Do List
Here is our comprehensive garden task list for gardens in the greater DC metro region for May 16-June 15. Your suggestions and additions to this list are most welcome:
- Cut back spent tulip and daffodil blooms, but not the foliage!
- Divide and replant crowded daffodils.
- Feed your roses and new plantings with slow-release fertilizer sparingly.
- Provide supports for fast-growing perennials such as delphiniums, peonies, and lilies.
- Tie up clematis and other fast-growing climbing vines.
- Hose off aphids, white flies, or spider mites on your roses or other perennials.
- Deadhead spent blooms on your annuals and perennials to encourage re-flowering.
- Water your newly planted shrubs, trees, and perennials.
- Weed regularly.
- Go on a local house and garden tour to see what is working on other's area home gardens.
- Pinch back mums, salvias, and other late season bloomers to encourage bushy not leggy growth.
- Check pots and containers daily for water needs.
- Plant dahlias and cannas.
- Direct sow annual flower seeds.
- Thin vegetable seeds sown directly in the garden.
- Move your houseplants outdoors for a summer vacation on your porch.
- Put out slug traps around your vulnerable edibles and hostas.
- Prune back forsythia, spirea, and other early spring blooming shrubs.
- Check for black spot on your roses -- remove and discard and affected leaves in the trash, never back into your garden or in your compost -- apply a fungicide with neem oil every two weeks during the growing season.
- Cut some flowers to enjoy inside -- make a small arrangement for every room.
- Sow squash and melon seeds.
- Plant seedlings (or direct-sow) sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
- Fertilize azaleas and rhodos, if needed.
- Divide crowded perennials and share them.
- Turn your compost pile.
- Start a water garden.
- Mark and photograph your bulb plantings now, while they are still visible.
- Keep a sharp eye for fungal diseases and pests.
- Replace cool-season annuals with heat-loving ones.
- Be vigilant for mosquito breeding spots, any standing water from a bottle-cap to blocked gutters, and clean them out immediately. Ask your surrounding neighbors to do the same.
Have a wonderful 2008 growing season!
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Magazine Excerpt: Providing Support by Cindy Brown
How to Build a Better Tomato Cage
Temperatures are rising and summer’s gardening frenzy has begun. While many of my friends ponder how to keep their mixed borders vibrant during the sweltering season, my thoughts focus on how I’m going to maximize production of my summertime favorite — tomatoes: the Scarlet Queen. I spent my winter months sifting compost for the ultimate soil amendment, searching for extra large, light-weight containers for the deck, and scouring catalogs for perfect Lycopersicon varieties. All my off-season efforts were critical for producing the ultimate crop of tomatoes.
Greed always overwhelms sensibility and I inevitably choose more varieties than I have space for in the garden; one of the reasons I augment garden space with containers. But planted in the ground or in a container, my tomato plants will always be trained to grow vertically. Horizontal sprawl not only limits the number of plants I can squeeze onto my suburban “farm,” it also increases the likelihood of fruit rot, slug damage, and contact with soil-borne diseases.
Since I’m emphatic about “growing up,” what are the options available? Some gardeners swear by the staking system. A stake is pounded into the ground by the newly planted tomato which is trained to a single stem. It’s essential to prune off side shoots and keep the vine lashed to the stake. Stop for a minute and visualize this process. Any problems come to mind? My shoot pruning diligence always fades around August. Then my poor tomato plants resemble a topiary gone bad: a leafless bottom erupting into a mass of contorted stems which I try to support with broomsticks, dowels, and fallen branches. A summer thunderstorm usually sends the entire tomato-scape crashing to the ground.
If one manages to keep up with the pruning, there could be a problem harvesting the tomatoes. A well-tended tomato vine, provided that it is an indeterminate variety (see side bar on page 18), can grow, well, indeterminately. One year, I decided to test this property. I planted Enchantment, one of my favorite varieties, in a whiskey barrel below the deck. I strung twine from the deck down to the barrel. The stems climbed until they reached the bottom of the deck, around 10 feet. I needed a ladder to reach some of the tomatoes. An early frost ended the experiment, but the height impressed me.
Since stakes don’t work for me I’ve switched to tomato cages. I hope no one is still wrestling with the silly three foot ring variety available at the garden centers. My plants always outgrew the rings and then I’d have to extend the height with another “crop” of makeshift stakes. My feeble attempts to control the overgrowth were tacky looking, not very effective, and exasperating.
A perfect tomato cage should be easy on the eyes, muscles, and pocketbook. It should offer support and be versatile; after all, tomatoes aren’t the only vegetables grown vertically. A good cage could also be a scaffold for rambling peas, cucumbers, beans, or Malabar spinach. Winter storage should not be problematic. Cages should either fold flat to be hung on the potting shed wall or be attractive enough to stay put and add structure to the winter kitchen garden...
Read the rest of this article and learn about the many kinds of tomato supports in the May/June 2008 issue of Washington Gardener magazine. Additional photos of the Bamboo Tomato Towers described in Cindy's article are now posted here.
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Next Issue
The June 15, 2008 issue of Washington Gardener Enews will list the Divine Annual Vines suitable for Mid-Atlantic gardens.
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Edited by Kathy Jentz
Contact: editor@washingtongardener.com or 301.588.6894.
©Washington Gardener 2008
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