"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
May, 2008 
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Web Reviews
A Great Resource for Information on Greening
Explore EBSCO’s GreenFILE. This freely accessible database provides citations and abstracts for approximately 295,000 articles on the positive and negative aspects of the relationship between humans and the environment. The full text of nearly 5,000 articles is available.
The Library of Congress Librarians sleuths It Out
Have you ever wondered how grapefruit got its name, or what’s the world’s smallest flower? See the Library of Congress’ fun website, Everyday Mysteries. Here, you’ll find answers to these and other questions you’ve always had but never asked, thanks to the Library’s Science Reference Department. Links will also guide you to more resources on an interesting topic.
Local Gardening News
To keep up with the goings-on of the Delaware County Master Gardeners, remember to check A Master Gardener’s Journal. Marion Yaglinski and her guest bloggers discuss their projects and offer gardening information. Your comments are welcome.
Happy Tercentenary, Albrecht von Haller!
Poet, botanist, physiologist, magistrate, and all-around polymath, Albrecht von Haller will celebrate in spirit the 300th anniversary of his birth on October 16, 2008. Visit Haller 300 to learn more about the man who started the botanical garden at the University of Göttingen, published a flora of Switzerland, and was one of the leading opponents of Linnaean nomenclature.
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PHS McLean Library News
Two New Exhibits in the McLean Library!
“Dahlia Roots: from Moctezuma to Madrid and Beyond”
Through Friday, June 27
The Spanish Conquerors in the sixteenth century were seeking gold in Meso-America, but they were also on a horticultural hunt for new foods and medicines. Among the plants of interest was the cocoxochitl, as it was known by the Aztecs, the plant we call a dahlia. This exhibit draws on material from the McLean Library's book and seed catalog collections.
“Design in Nature, Nature in Design”
Friday, April 18 - Friday, May 16
This five-panel exhibit highlights the work of Moore College of Art and Design graphic design students, who completed a year-long project on trees. Students used the McLean library’s resources for inspiration and information to inform their art creations.
“Stories from the Garden” Book Club Meets May 1
Join us on Thursday, May 1, 5:45 - 7:45 pm in the McLean Library where we’ll discuss Zora Neale Hurston’s classic novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. For details, contact Priscilla Becroft at 215-988-8772 or mcleanlibrary@pennhort.org.
New Books in the Library
See the "What's New in the Library" page of our web site:
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PHS Events
City Gardening Series: Window Boxes and Other Containers
Saturday, May 3, 11 am - Noon
Blackwell Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
125 South 52nd Street
Philadelphia, PA
Janet Carter suggests ways to create fun and exciting gardens for window boxes and other containers. [more]
City Gardening Series: Growing Roses in Containers
Monday, May 5, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Independence Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
18 South 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Master gardener Mary McKnight discusses how to match the container and location to the needs of the rose. [more]
Workshop: Garden Photography Basics
Tuesday, May 6, 10 am - Noon (rain date: May 7), AND
Tuesday, May 20, 10 am - Noon
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Join Ann Reed and Jane Ruffin for a photographic walk and talk at lovely Chanticleer while the spring landscape is at its glorious peak. [more]
Chanticleer Walk: Xeriscaping
Wednesday, May 7, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Chanticleer horticulturist Joe Henderson will show us cool plants for hot and dry sites. [more]
City Gardening Series: Designing and Maintaining Window Boxes
Wednesday, May 7, 6 - 7 pm
Philadelphia City Institute, Free Library of Philadelphia
1905 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA
Master gardener Robin Potter will share inventive ideas for gardening in window boxes. [more]
IN THE GARDEN: Japanese Garden Principles
Saturday, May 10, 1 - 3 pm
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
Horticulture Center, Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA
Offering an overview of Japan’s rich garden history as well as contemporary projects, Harriet Henderson will present this special lecture focusing on Japanese principles and elements. [more]
City Gardening Series: Kitchen Garden in a Pot
Monday, May 12, 4 - 5 pm
Lillian Marrero Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
601 W. Lehigh Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Janet Carter provides suggestions for growing herbs and vegetables in pots, hanging baskets, and other patio containers. [more]
COACH TOUR: Private Gardens in York, PA
Wednesday, May 14, 7:15 am - 7:30 pm
Private Gardens
York, PA
In the morning, two generous PHS members will welcome us to Millbourne, their amazing 50-acre private garden with something for everyone. After lunch around the pool, we’ll travel to another part of York to see two lovely smaller private gardens. [more]
Chanticleer Walk: Challenging Shade
Wednesday, May 14, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Do you have deep shade and dry soil where nothing wants to grow? Join Chanticleer’s Asian Woods horticulturist Lisa Roper to learn what you can do to make these difficult conditions more conducive to growing great plants. [more]
City Gardening Series: Chanticleer through the Seasons - Spring
Thursday, May 15, 4:30 - 9 pm
Chanticleer
Wayne, PA
Join us for an enchanting evening at Chanticleer ... A Pleasure Garden, a 32-acre garden of ever-changing colors and textures in Wayne, PA. Chanticleer staffer Jonathan Wright will lead a tour of early-season containers. [more]
City Gardening Series: Water Gardens in Small Spaces
Saturday, May 17, 10 - 11 am
Holly Street Community Garden
321-323 N. Holly Street
Philadelphia, PA
Water features are enchanting additions to any size garden and can range from a simple wine barrel to a naturalistic pool with a waterfall. Community gardener Joe Revlock will talk about techniques for a variety of water gardens. [more]
City Gardening Series: Growing Herbs Indoors
Tuesday, May 20, 11 am - Noon
Walnut Park Plaza Senior Residence
6250 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
Janet Carter demonstrates how to keep your indoor herb garden thriving for year-round enjoyment. [more]
Chanticleer Walk: Native Trees and Shrubs
Wednesday, May 21, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Take a walk through the gardens at Chanticleer with horticulturist Dan Benarcik, who will discuss native trees and shrubs that are both culturally and aesthetically suited for use in the Delaware Valley. [more]
City Gardening Series: Invite Birds to Your Garden
Wednesday, May 21, 6 - 7 pm
Eastwick Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
2851 Island Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Environmental educator Liz Dailey discusses how to use a blend of trees, shrubs, vines, and flowers that provide food for birds over a long period. [more]
City Gardening Series: Everything You Wanted to Know About Annuals
Saturday, May 24, 2 - 3 pm
Blanche Nixon/Cobs Creek Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway
Philadelphia, PA
Lori Hayes provides basic information on planting annuals and simple design techniques. [more]
City Gardening Series: Growing Fruits and Vegetables in Containers
Wednesday, May 28, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
South Philadelphia Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
1700 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
Eva Monheim shares ways to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables grown in containers. [more]
City Gardening Series: Bus Trip to the Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation
Friday, May 30, 9 - 3 pm
Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation
Lower Merion, PA
The Barnes Foundation Arboretum is noted for more than 3,000 species or varieties of woody plants gathered from around the world, all growing within a small area. [more]
COACH TOUR: Secret Gardens of Annapolis, Maryland
Saturday, May 31, 9:30 am - 8:30 pm
Historic District
Annapolis, MD
Our coach will take us to this charming town for a self-guided walking tour of private and public gardens open for the annual Secret Garden Tour, sponsored by the Hammond-Harwood House. [more]
City Gardening Series: Dependable Perennials
Saturday, May 31, 2 - 3 pm
Frankford Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
4634 Frankford Avenue
Janet Carter offers 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
Guided Wildflower Walk
Daily: May 1 - October 31, 2 - 3 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Join us for a walk on the preserve’s trails and discover fun facts about the native wildflowers, trees, shrubs, fruits and seeds and their interactions with animals. For all ages. [more]
Spring Bird Walk
Saturdays: May 3 - 31, 7:30 - 9:30 am
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Join an experienced local bird guide on a walk through the preserve to see some of its many species of birds. For ages 8 - adult. [more]
Odes and Toads: Children’s Writing in Springtime
Saturday, May 3, 10 am - Noon
Morris Arboretum
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Join naturalist and writer Andrea Ross for a fun exploration of nature and creative writing. For children ages 6 - 12, accompanied by parent or caregiver. Call 215-247-5777 x156 or 125.
A Walk in the Moonlight
Saturday, May 17, 7 - 8:30 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Explore the natural world at night. Watch for bats hunting for insects and listen for owls calling. For all ages. [more]
Nature in Your Neighborhood
Sunday, May 4, 1 - 2 pm
Morris Arboretum
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Children ages 4 - 7 will learn about the kinds of animals to be found in the neighborhood, the skills needed to spot them, and safe ways to observe them. Call 215-247-5777 x156 or 125.
Mother’s Day Wreath Workshop
Saturday, May 10, 10 am - Noon
Morris Arboretum
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Children ages 5 - 12 will learn about the elements of design while making mom/grandma a keepsake wreath. Call 215-247-5777 x156 or 125.
Intergenerational Program: Forest Bingo, Turtle Races, and Other Adventures
Saturday, May 10, 1 - 3 pm
Morris Arboretum
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Naturalist Irene Safren will lead a variety of fun, creative activities throughout the arboretum in an intergenerational program for all ages. Call 215-247-5777 x156 or 125.
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2008 Plant Sales and Events
See the 2008 Plant Sales and Events on our website for major plant sales and garden tours in the greater Philadelphia region. [more]
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Other Gardening News & Events
Continuing Education Courses
May 2008
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Discover Bulbmania, learn how to be “green” by design, and get ready for the outdoor entertaining season when Longwood Gardens Continuing Education offers courses on these topics and more in May.
[more] LINK to http://longwoodgardens.org/Education/ContEd/ContEdIntro.htm
Scott Arboretum Events
May 2008
Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA
Learn how to adapt your garden into a four-season bird-friendly zone, take a tour of the arboretum’s two green roofs, hear a lecture about how best to capture and use the precious rainwater that falls on your garden, and more. [more]
Workshops and Events
May 2008
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Spring Native Plant Sale, Flowering Shrubs, Botanical Drawing and Weed Patrol are among the May programs at the preserve. [more]
Classes and Events at the Morris Arboretum
May 2008
Morris Arboretum
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Attend a workshop on nature journaling, learn about woodland wildflowers or irises for the garden, travel to Delaware to see two great gardens, or take a walking tour on Forbidden Drive along the Wissahickon. [more]
Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, May 3, 9 am - 3 pm
Temple University Ambler Campus Greenhouse
580 Meetinghouse Road
Ambler, PA
Sponsored by the Temple Ambler Landscape Arboretum and Pi Alpha Xi. Contact jrcarey@temple.edu or 267-468-8400.
Flower and Herb Sale
Saturday, May 3, 8 am - Noon
St. Mary’s Church
Louella and Lancaster Avenues
Wayne, PA
Sponsored by the Community Garden Club at Wayne. Contact Matt Golas at golasmatt@gmail.com.
Field Trip to Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
Saturday, May 3, 10 am - 5 pm
New Hope, PA
Join the first Phyto-diversity Blitz at Bowman’s Hill for the Philadelphia Botanical Club’s first field trip of the 2008 season. Find as many species as possible in the first full Plant Stewardship Index survey of the preserve. Contact Jeannine Vannais at vannais@bhwp.org or 215-862-2924.
Philadelphia Botanical Club Field Trip
Friday, May 2 - Sunday, May 4
Pocono Environmental Education Center and
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Join field botanist and biologist Bill Olson and learn to identify spring flora such as violets, trilliums, meadow rues, and many more. Contact Bill at wolson3@optonline.com or 732-961-1946 (evenings).
Rhapsody in Bloom: “Meet the Artists” Reception
Wednesday, May 7, 5 - 8 pm
The American Horticultural Society
George Washington’s River Farm
7931 East Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, VA
Exhibit of Kathleen and Tom Ball’s watercolors and photography of the region’s natural beauty (through June 28). Contact Sarah Christie at schristie@ahs.org or 703-768-5700 x114.
Herb & Garden Faire
Saturday - Sunday, May 9 - 10, 9 am - 5 pm
Landis Valley Museum
2451 Kissel Hill Road
Lancaster, PA
Contact Cindy Reedy at c-reedy@state.pa.us or 717-581-0591.
Plant Sale & Community Gardens Open House
Friday, May 9, 3 - 7 pm
Hattie Phelan Community Garden
10th & Pine Streets
Wilmington, DE
Saturday, May 10, 9 am - 2 pm
Valley Community Garden
8th & Jefferson Streets
Wilmington, DE
Purchase vegetable starts and flowering plants specifically selected to flourish in an urban environment. Meet fellow gardeners and learn proper planting techniques at these events sponsored by the Delaware Center for Horticulture. Call 302-658-6262 x109.
Field Trip to Ker-Feal
Saturday, May 10, 10 am
Chester County, PA
Join the Philadelphia Botanical Club and survey the spring flora of Albert Barnes’s 138-acre estate. Contact trip leaders Dr. Ernie Schuyler at schuyler@ansp.org or Jack Holt at jack@mobilelifts.com or 610-459-0585.
Spring Pine Barrens Trip
Saturday, May 10, 9 am - 4 pm
Sponsored by Bartram’s Garden
Explore John Bartram’s 1740s plant collecting routes through the northern Pine Barrens and discover Whitesbog, Webbs Mill bog, and the Plains with expert guides Joel Fry, Bill Cahill, and Lord Whimsy. Provide your own transportation. Contact Alison McDowell at amcdowell@bartramsgarden.org or 215-729-5281 x103.
Plant Sale
Morris Arboretum
Saturday, May 10, 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, May 11, Noon - 4 pm
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Hundreds of trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials, many unusual, will be available. [more] or call 215-247-5777 x125 or 156.
West Jersey Rose Society
Wednesday, May 14, 7:30 - 9 pm
Room 208, Cherry Hill Community Center Complex
820 Mercer Street
Cherry Hill, NJ
Bruce Monroe, American Rose Society accredited judge, will speak on “Preparing for the Rose Show.” Contact 856-234-6583.
Starting the Herb Garden Naturally
Wednesdays, May 14 - June 18, 7 - 9 pm
Saturday, June 7, 9:30 - 11:30 am
Triple Oaks Nursery and Florist
2359 Delsea Drive (Route 47)
Franklinville, NJ
Learn about the history and culture of herbs, how to grow herbs naturally, and edible flowers. Sponsored by Gloucester County College. Call GCC at 856-415-2217.
Hobby Greenhouse Association
Saturday, May 17, 10 am - 1 pm
The Horticulture Center
West Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA
The Delaware Valley Chapter will hold its Annual Auction and Picnic. Contact Bernie Wiener at wiener1@verizon.net
The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program
Open Day in Philadelphia
Sunday, May 18
Bala Cynwyd and Broomall areas
Spend time in some of the more than 300 gardens across the country that will be open in 2008. [more]
Friends of River Farm Family Picnic
Sunday, May 18
The American Horticultural Society
George Washington’s River Farm
7931 East Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, VA
Contact Viveka Neveln at 703-768-5700 x120 or vneveln@ahs.org or see web site. [more]
Guided Garden Tour: Using Native Plants in the Garden
Tuesday, May 20, 5 - 6 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
Enjoy a stroll through the DCH gardens in Trolley Square at their peak of spring blooming. Contact 302-658-6262 x109.
Philadelphia Botanical Club
Thursday, May 22, 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
G. Russell Juelg of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance will speak on “Rare Plant Conservation in the New Jersey Highlands.” Reception will follow. [more]
American Horticultural Society’s Green Garage Exhibit
Saturday, May 24 - Sunday, October 13
United States Botanic Garden
Washington, DC
This exhibit, which showcases earth-friendly gardening tools, products, and practices, will be on display on the National Mall all summer as part of a sustainability-themed exhibit sponsored by the US Botanic Garden. [more] or contact Viveka Neveln at 703-768-5700 x120 or vneveln@ahs.org.
Totally Terrific Treehouses
Saturday, May 31 - Saturday, September 28
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Fifteen imaginative structures created by local artisans make themselves at home amid Tyler’s ancient woodlands and engage visitors of all ages in discovery and enjoyment. [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 have heard that bird seed spilled from feeders might harm surrounding plants. I am using black sunflower seeds in a feeder hung just above some rhododendrons and azaleas and they seem to be struggling. Thank you. Clark P. Centreville, DE.
A. Not all birdseed is harmful to plants. However, sunflower hulls in quantity can be toxic to many plants, including grass. Using hulled seeds may lessen the problem, but it is more expensive. Raking the spent hulls is also recommended. Safflower seed is an alternative. For more on this topic, visit Maine Audubon’s website: http://www.maineaudubon.org/nature/seed.shtml
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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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