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"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
 January 2006
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New Plants for a New Year
Not only is January the month when seed catalogs appear in our mailboxes, it's also when we begin to hear about award-winning plants. If you grow roses, consider one of the 2006 All American Rose winners from the American Rose Society.
If perennials are your favorites, the Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year may be perfect for your garden. This year's winner, Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Firewitch', should be on the PPA site by press time. In addition, see previous winners.
The Perennial Resource web site, hosted by Walters Gardens, contains a garden center locator and growing guides, as well as the runners up for Perennial Plant of the Year.
Would you like to plant Tigger Melon or Sea Shells Cosmos in your garden? These are two new selections from the Seed Savers Exchange in the new year. The Exchange makes the old varieties new again by collecting, conserving, and sharing heirloom seeds.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in America and is held in Harrisburg, January 7 - 14. Agriculture is Pennsylvania's largest industry, and this year's show celebrates its 90th anniversary. Exhibits and events include renewable energy sources, a rare tools display from Penn State, a rodeo, wine competition, and cheese steaks made from homegrown beef.
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New Books in the McLean Library News
See the "What's New in the Library" page of our web site.
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Green Scene Index Available
Do you have a beloved collection of vintage PHS Green Scene magazines? A few years ago, PHS produced a booklet called "The Green Scene 25-Year Index: 1972-1997." Currently, we have 20 remaining copies to give away for free. Just be one of the first 20 people to send an email and we will send you a copy in the mail. Send your email today!
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PHS Events
Meadowbrook Farm Tour: The Art and Science of
Forcing
for the Philadelphia Flower Show
Two Tuesdays, January 3 & February 21, 10 am - Noon
Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
See for yourself how those fabulous plants at the Philadelphia Flower Show bloom on cue at such an unusual time of year. [more]
Book Club "Stories from the Garden"
Thursday, January 5, 5:45 - 7:45 pm
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society McLean Library
100 North 20th Street, 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA
This month's selection: Octavio Paz, Selected Poems. [more]
City Gardening Series: Growing Houseplants under Lights
Monday, January 9, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Independence Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
18 S. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA
In this free lecture, horticultural educator Bernie Wiener demonstrates how growing plants under lights can be easy and rewarding if you follow a few basic guidelines. [more]
Garden Tenders Basic Training
Five Wednesdays beginning January 11, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Garden Tenders Basic Training teaches community groups and nonprofit organizations to create community gardens on vacant lots. [more]
Tree Tenders Continuing Education: The Green Belt Movement in Kenya
Wednesday, January 11, 6:45 - 8 pm
West Chester University
Schmucker Science Center, North Room 191
West Chester, PA
The PHS Tree Tenders Project is proud to sponsor this presentation by Gerard Hertel of West Chester University, who will tell the story of a truly inspiring and courageous woman, Professor Wangari Maathai of Kenya. [more]
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Meadowbrook Farm Walk: Winter Interest in the Landscape
Tuesday, January 17, 10 am - Noon
Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
Ted Zoltowski of Meadowbrook Farm will discuss aspects of winter interest in the garden, particularly with reference to trees, shrubs, and perennials. [more]
Meadowbrook Farm Workshop: Glass Bowl Terrarium
Thursday, January 19, 10 am - Noon
Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
In the depths of winter, what could be better than to brighten your home with a lush green miniature world under glass? [more]
City Gardening Series: Planning the Spring Garden
Monday, January 23, 6 - 7 pm
Walnut West Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
201 S. 40th Street
Philadelphia, PA
In this free slide show presentation, garden designer Toni Ann Flanigan will show how to analyze, evaluate, and design your spring garden. [more]
City Gardening Series: Creating a Terrarium
Wednesday, January 25, 6 - 7 pm
McKinley School
2101 W. Orkney Street
Philadelphia, PA
At this hands-on workshop, horticultural educator Eva Monheim will demonstrate how to create a miniature landscape under glass. [more]
Philadelphia Green Skills Conference
Saturday, January 28, 9 - 2 pm
Moore College of Art & Design
N. 20th Street and Race
Join us for a day of learning, sharing, and networking for people involved in urban greening. Topics will include tree care, youth, and advocacy. [more]
City Gardening Series: Hints for Healthy Houseplants
Monday, January 30, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Gideon School
2817 W. Glenwood Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Horticultural therapist Mona Gold will discuss the best ways to grow flowering and foliage houseplants and how to keep them healthy throughout the winter. [more]
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Other Gardening News and Events
Continuing Education Courses
January, 2006
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Students may take individual courses or complete curricula in specialized areas to gain a certificate of merit. This month's offerings include Plant Illustration, Orchids for Beginners, and Comprehensive Wedding Design. [more]
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Guided Tour: A Walk with the Curator
Monday, January 1, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Saturday, January 21, 10 am - Noon
Departs from Scott Arboretum Offices
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA
In this free tour, Andrew Bunting will discuss the most recent accessions acquired for the Arboretum's collection. [more]
Begonia Society Meeting
Saturday, January 7, 10 am
Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
Workshop: Planting begonias in terrariums. Janet Welsh, Philadelphia Flower Show award-winner, will be the speaker. Contact Bernie Wiener at 610-446-2160 or by email.
Winter Lecture Series: Seeing the Forest and the Trees
Sunday January 8, 2 - 3 pm
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
This lecture features Dr. Ann Rhoads. [more]
Pre-School Reading Hour
Wednesday, January 11, 10 - 11 am
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Parents and children are invited this reading hour, followed by a walk through the Preserve. [more]
Winter Celebration
Saturday, January 14, 5 - 8:30 pm
Lang Performing Arts Center Cinema and Sharples Dining Hall
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA
This year our guest speaker, Jane Pepper, will whisk us away to gardens up and down the United Kingdom. [more]
Winter Lecture Series
Sunday January 15, 2 - 3 pm
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Amphibians in the Garden, featuring Dr. Jim White; Lecture followed by book signing. [more]
Winter Lecture Series: Sunday January 22, 2 - 3 pm
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Dr. Carol Mapes, "Plant Galls of Fields, Forests and Backyards." [more]
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Weekend Wildflower Walk
Sunday, Janurary 22, 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Join Dick Cloud for a pleasant Sunday afternoon walk looking for late or early bloomers and other seasonal interest in our woods and meadows. [more]
Lecture: Winter-flowering Shrubs
Tuesday, January 24, 7 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 North DuPont Street
Wilmington, DE
Michael Buffin will help you plan your wintertime garden. [more]
Philadelphia Botany Club
Thursday, January 26, 7:30 pm
Marvin Comisky Conference Center
Blank Rome Comisky & McCauley LLP
One Logan Square
Philadelphia, PA
Lecture: Nancy Khan, Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers, "Floristic Resources of Evansburg State Park, Montgomery County, PA." [more]
Animals of the Night
Saturday, January 28, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Join in this special winter afternoon for a program with live owls and other nocturnal animals. [more]
Winter Pruning Workshop
Saturday, January 28, 1 - 3 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Winter is the perfect season for structural pruning, as many deciduous shrubs and trees have lost their leaves. [more]
Winter Lecture Series: Sunday January 29, 2 - 3 pm
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Colonial and Native American Herbs featuring Jeannine Vannais. [more]
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How to Submit News & Events
The Wired Gardener is issued 11 times a year (no 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. Email details of your event and reference "Wired Gardener" in the subject line.
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Ask a Gardening Question
Our 20 gardening experts volunteer their time to answer your questions. Use the form on our web site.
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About the Wired Gardener
Edited by Janet Evans, library manager, McLean Library, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; contributions: Jane Alling.
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