"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
January 2008
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Web Reviews
Hail to the Queen of the Abyss
Ray Rogers, a long-time exhibitor and winner at the Philadelphia Flower Show, describes how his fascination with Sinningia leucotricha (also known as the Queen of the Abyss or the Brazilian edelweiss) coincided with his first stirrings of Flower Show fever and his quest for the coveted Far Out Cactus Award. [more]
Call of the Wild
Personalize your cell phone with a lion’s roar, a bird’s song, or a guinea pig’s squeak and help the environment at the same time. Every ring tone downloaded from Conservation Calling helps restore wildlife habitat and urban tree canopy. The organization contributes 10 percent of its net revenue to American Forests’s Global ReLeaf campaign.
The Hunt Is On!
The Woodland Trust is asking United Kingdom residents to help find and map all the old, fat trees across the country. The goal of this project, called the Ancient Tree Hunt is to create a database listing the size, location, and other information on at least 10,000 ancient trees in the U.K. by 2011. The web site also includes links to organizations in other countries with citizens interested in ancient trees (or “Big Trees” as we Americans like to call them).
Waste Not, Want Not
Jonathan Bloom spreads the word that our country wastes nearly half of its food, while an increasing number of our citizens go hungry. Read his blog, Wasted Food to learn about this problem and to find out what you can do to help stop it.
Pop Quiz - Books set in Gardens
Test your knowledge of books set in or inspired by gardens. Which Carol Shields novel features a man who develops an obsession with hedges? Which Caribbean writer gathers all that she loves about gardening in a book simply called The Garden? Take this quiz on the enCompass Culture website and catch up on your gardening reading. If you enjoy reading fiction set in gardens, consider joining the McLean Library book group. [more]
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PHS McLean Library News
New Exhibit in the Library
“Gardens of the Jazz Age”
January 23 - March 31
McLean Library
Using material from the McLean Library archives, this exhibit is inspired by the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show theme, Jazz it Up!, and is an accompaniment to garden historian Jenny Rose Carey’s lecture on “Gardens of the Jazz Age” (January 23). This exhibit features images from glass lantern slides of gardens and other material related to gardening in Philadelphia between the first and second World Wars.
Library Staff to give Lecture on History of the Flower Show
On Friday, January 25, McLean Library manager Janet Evans and library conservator Jude Robison will present a brown-bag lunch lecture on the history of the Philadelphia Flower Show from its beginnings in 1829 to the present day. This illustrated lecture draws on material form the extensive archives of the McLean Library of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, including never-before-seen vintage Flower Show photographs and Show-related items. [more]
What do You Have in Your Attic?
The McLean Library is seeking memorabilia from past Philadelphia Flower Shows. Please call 215-988-8779 if you are interested in donating show-related memorabilia, such as medals, posters, and other items.
New Books in the Library
See the "What's New in the Library" page of our web site!
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Travel with PHS!
Gardens in Holland and Belgium
April 21 – May 2, 2008
Join us for an exciting trip to Holland and Belgium to visit outstanding private gardens in each country and to learn the latest ideas in Dutch and Belgian garden design, as well as the influence of historic gardens.
We will visit the Keukenhof, the showplace for Dutch bulb growers that is open for only a few weeks each spring, and Het Loo palace and restored gardens. Our guide, Beline Geertsema-Key, organizes the Dutch Open Garden Scheme and knows the best private gardens in the country. [more]
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PHS Events
Book Club: Stories from the Garden
Thursday, January 3, 5:45 - 7:45 pm
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society McLean Library
100 North 20th Street, 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA
January selection: Tennessee Williams, Suddenly Last Summer (play). [More ]
City Gardening Series: Container Gardening with Hanging Baskets
Monday, January 7, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Lillian Marrero Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
601 W. Lehigh Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Using a variety of plants, community gardener Janet Carter shares ways to create great-looking hanging containers. [more]
City Gardening Series: Winter Houseplant Care
Wednesday, January 9, 11 - Noon
Walnut Park Plaza Senior Residence
6250 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
Winter can be a tough time for houseplants. Horticultural therapist Beverly Agard discusses how proper care during this time of year can help keep them healthy. [more]
City Gardening Series: African Violets and other Blooming Houseplants
Saturday, January 12, 2 - 3 pm
Walnut West Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
201 S. 40th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Garden writer Eva Monheim will show how African violets and other flowering houseplants will blossom all year with the proper care and maintenance. [more]
Free Lecture Series: Mosses, Ferns, and Other Non-Flowering Plants
Mondays, January 14 - Feb 25 (no class on January 21) 6:30 - 7:30 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
PHS and the Wagner Free Institute of Science will co-sponsor this series of six lectures. For many gardeners, the word “plant” is practically synonymous with “flowers.” However, flowering plants have been on earth for a relatively short time, and even seed plants, such as pines, are relative newcomers. [more]
Meadowbrook Farm Workshop: Glass Bowl Terrarium
Tuesday, January 15, 10 - 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? Only certain plants can grow in a glass terrarium, and the planting procedure requires special attention. [more]
Garden Tenders Basic Training
2 Wednesdays, January 16 & 30, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Green’s Garden Tenders Basic Training teaches community groups and nonprofit organizations to create community gardens on vacant lots. Act 48 Professional Development Credits are available for teachers. [more]
Meadowbrook Farm Walk: Winter Tree Identification
Thursday, January 17, 10 - Noon
Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
If you can identify a tree in winter you can identify one at any time of year. Meadowbrook Farm sales and community relations manager Diana K. Weiner will bring you on a walking tour of the Meadowbrook grounds and show you how to look at the bark, buds, seeds, and profile of many deciduous and coniferous trees and use these as tools for accurate identification. [more]
Evening Lecture: Gardens of the Jazz Age
Wednesday, January 23, 6 - 8 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 North 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Get ready for the 2008 Flower Show, Jazz It Up!. Spend an evening enjoying the gardens of an exciting and extravagant era in our history, between the end of the First World War and the 1929 stock market crash, known as the Jazz Age. [more]
City Gardening Series: How to Succeed at Seed Starting
Wednesday, January 23, 7 - 8 pm
Lovett Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
6945 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Take the mystery out of starting seeds indoors. At this workshop, Penn State Extension educator Christine Tilles shows how to get a head-start on the gardening season. [more]
Brown-Bag Lunch Lecture: History of the Philadelphia Flower Show
Friday, January 25, Noon - 1 pm
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
McLean Library manager Janet Evans and library conservator Jude Robison will present a history of the Philadelphia Flower Show from its beginnings in 1829 to the present day. This illustrated lecture draws on material from the extensive archives of the PHS McLean Library, including never-before-seen vintage Flower Show photographs and Show-related items. [more]
Philadelphia Green Skills Conference
Saturday, January 26, 9 - 2 pm
Moore College of Art & Design
N. 20th St. & Race St.
Philadelphia, PA
Join us for a day of learning, sharing, and networking for people involved in urban greening. Scholarships are available. [more]
Botanical Illustration Workshop: The Courtyard - Miniature Portraits in Colored Pencils
Monday and Tuesday, Monday, January 28 - 29, 10 - 3 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 North 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
The 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show will feature opulent courtyard gardens inspired by New Orleans to highlight the 2008 theme, Jazz It Up!. In this new botanical illustration class, presented by Eileen Rosen, we will study how to capture and preserve on paper the lush and colorful intimacy of the courtyard with colored pencils. [more]
City Gardening Series: Successful Container Gardening
Monday, January 28, 6 - 7 pm
Rodriquez Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
600 W. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Environmental educator Lori Hayes shows how to create an attractive container garden year-round using a variety of plants. [more]
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Other Gardening News & Events
Scott Arboretum Workshops and Events
January, 2008
Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA
A trip to the Pennsylvania Farm Show and a lecture on water gardening are two of the events planned for January. [more]
Call for Exhibitors
Juried Exhibit: Totally Terrific Tree Houses
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Tyler Arboretum is seeking talented artists, architects, builders, companies and institutions to participate in an interactive exhibit of uniquely designed tree houses. [more]
American Begonia Society
Saturday, January 5, 10 am - 12 Noon
Huntingdon Valley Library
625 Red Lion Road
Huntingdon Valley, PA
Attendees at this Delaware Valley Branch meeting will receive starter plants of Begonia dregei. Discussion will focus on how to identify different varieties within this type of semi-tuberous begonia. Contact Bernie Wiener at wiener1@verizon.net or 610-446-2160.
Effect of Climate Change on Weeds
62nd Annual Meeting, Northeastern Weed Science Society
Tuesday, January 8 - Thursday, January 10
Sheraton Society Hill Hotel
Philadelphia, PA
Join scientists, educators, and industry personnel as they meet to discuss the effects of climate change on weeds and other topics related to weed management in various settings. General session (a one-day symposium) is on January 8. [more]
Annual Landscape Design Symposium
Wednesday - Thursday, January 16 - 17
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
This 18th annual winter symposium is an in-depth examination of the state of the art of naturalistic landscape design; it is co-sponsored by the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. [more]
Advances in Gardening Under Lights
Hobby Greenhouse Association
Saturday, January 18, 10 am - Noon
The Horticulture Center
West Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA
At this Delaware Valley Chapter meeting Stuart Hughes will give a hands-on presentation about the most up-to-date, efficient, and inexpensive methods of growing under lights. Contact Bernie Wiener at wiener1@verizon.net
Lecture: Breeding Great Small Trees for Today’s Landscapes
Sunday, January 20, 2 pm
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Research geneticist Dr. Richard Olsen will focus on smaller trees for planting in restricted spaces in urban environments. Call 215-247-5777, ext. 155.
Philadelphia Botanical Club
Thursday, January 24, 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
Stevens Heckscher of the Natural Lands Trust will lecture on “Revealing Camera Studies of Plants in the Florida Everglades and Keys.” [more]
Lecture: A Tree Pilgrimage in Israel
Sunday, January 27, 2 pm
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Librarian and amateur historian Michael Brown will share stories connected with the many ancient trees he encountered while living in Israel. Call 215-247-5777, ext. 155.
PA Landscape & Nursery Conference
Tuesday - Thursday, February 12 - 14
The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel
State College, PA
Educational and networking opportunity for green industry professionals. [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.
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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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