"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
March, 2008 
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Special Events at the Philadelphia Flower Show
There’s lots to do and see at this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show held March 2 - 9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. With its theme “Jazz it Up!”, exhibitors will take gardening to the next level with pumped-up versions of New Orleans walled courtyards, cast iron balconies, fountains and canals.
THE FAMILY LOUNGE
Room 204C
March 2 - 9, 10 am - 5 pm
Families, relax with the toddlers in the new Family Lounge. Let the little ones play house in a kid-friendly home from TH Properties. Parents can put on a puppet show for their kids at the Smith Memorial Playground puppet theater. Take a picture with some of your favorite Sesame Place topiary characters. Before you leave, pick up a checklist for kids so they can find all the fun things in the Flower Show gardens and the PNC Grow Up Great kit. Parents can also enter to win great prizes like tickets to an upcoming Kimmel Center program. Click here for a schedule of free and fun events in the Family Lounge.
THE LECTURE SERIES
Rooms 201B and 201C
March 2 - 9
FREE daily lectures range from flower arranging, container gardening, landscaping, and gardening on your deck to pest control, Ikebana, growing orchids, and much more. Suitable for all experience levels. National and local gardening authors, celebrities, and experts discuss a broad range of horticultural topics including how-to tips for your flower and vegetable gardens. Some “don’t miss” lectures include Jenny Rose Carey, director of the Landscape Arboretum at Temple University Ambler, who will discuss “Philadelphia Gardens of the Jazz Age” (Sunday, March 2, 4 pm); Ray Rogers, author of Coleus: Rainbow Foliage for Containers and Gardens, whose topic is “Coleus: Red-hot, Easy, and Versatile” (Monday, March 3, 2:30); andRuth Estrada of Monrovia Nurseries, who will speak on March 6, 7 and 8 on “Incredible Edibles; Mixing Plants for Sustainability and Beauty.” Click here for complete a schedule of speakers.
ENTERTAINMENT AT THE SHOW
“Jazz it Up!” comes alive with LIVE performances during the Show Week on two stages in Exhibit Hall A. Look for daily performances of New Orleans-style music on the Bourbon back stage. The Legends Stage, presented by Settlement Music School, highlights alumni, staff, and students from Philadelphia’s Settlement Music School, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. [more]
Web Reviews
A Jazzy Web Site
Get in the mood for the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show “Jazz it Up!.” Visit Jazz Old Time On Line. Here, you can listen to tunes from jazz greats like Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Mahalia Jackson, and Django Rheinhardt.
Brush Up Your Bryology
The bryologists at Southern Illinois University Carbondale produce Bryophytes: Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts to highlight their research on the importance and beauty of bryophytes. These simple non-vascular plants date back to the Devonian era and can be found all over the world.
Outstanding Field Guides
Diane Schmidt, biology librarian at University of Illinois, has created a database of field guides called International Field Guides. Whether you’re interested in the mushrooms of Iowa or the different shapes of snowflakes, there’s a field guide for you. While Schmidt has identified thousands of field guides, she admits she may have missed some, so she welcomes your contributions.
Biology and the City
Urban Habitats is an open-access electronic journal about the biology of urban areas. It is published by the Center for Urban Restoration Ecology, a partnership of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Rutgers University. Recent topics include green roofs, birds in the urban environment, and urban flora.
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PHS McLean Library News
Exhibit in the Library - Through March 31
“Gardens of the Jazz Age”
January 23 - March 31
McLean Library
Using material from the PHS McLean Library archives, this exhibit is inspired by the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show theme, Jazz it Up! and features images from glass lantern slides of Philadelphia area-estate gardens of the 1930s.
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
IN THE GARDEN: Hardy Winter Flowers
Tuesday, March 11, 1 - 3 pm
Hedgleigh Spring
Swarthmore, PA
Even in winter, the garden can be alive and actively growing, with a seamless succession of blooming flowers that revel in the cold. On a tour of his garden, Charles Cresson will show how to enhance the berries, bark textures, evergreens, and silhouettes in your winter landscape with flowers in full bloom. [more]
City Gardening Series: The Perennial Garden
Friday, March 14, 11 am - Noon
Perzel Community Center
2990 St. Vincent Street
Philadelphia, PA
A well-designed perennial garden can provide many years of beauty and enjoyment. Environmental educator and garden writer Charlotte Kidd will discuss plant selection and planning. [more]
Botanical Illustration with Watercolor
Eight Tuesdays: March 18, 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 10 am - 1 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 North 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Presented by Eileen Rosen, this basic introduction will include mixing the colors of nature, making a color journal, exercises to create form and dimensionality, and discussion of brushes and paper. [more]
Tree Tenders Basic Training
Wednesdays, March 19, 26 & April 2, 6 - 9 pm
Morrisville Borough Hall
35 Union Street
Morrisville, PA
Join us for nine hours of hands-on training that will cover tree biology, identification, planting, proper care, and working with your community. [more]
Meadowbrook Farm Workshop: Divide and Conquer
Thursday, March 27, 10 am - Noon
Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
Some of the best varieties you can plant this spring are right in front of you, just waiting to be increased in number. Meadowbrook general manager John Story will give hands-on instruction, and participants will propagate plants to take home. [more]
Free Lecture Series: Invasive Plants in the Philadelphia Area
Six Mondays: March 31 - May 5, 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 by Dr. Alfred E. Schuyler on the habitats of invasive plants from the eighteenth century to the present, as well as management strategies for reducing or eliminating the negative impacts of these aggressive plants. [more]
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Family-Friendly Gardening
Maple Sugaring Exploration
Saturday, March 1, 1 - 2 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
The program will start indoors with some background about trees and how sap rises in the spring, then the participants will go outside to learn how trees are tapped and the sap is collected. For ages 7 to 10. [more]
Dirt Makes My Lunch
Saturday, March 15, 10 - 11:30 am
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Learn about the importance of soil in the making of your lunch. Get dirty in the new vegetable garden and adopt some worms. For ages 6 to 8. [more]
Plant Propagation for Kids
Sunday, March 16, 1:30 - 3pm
Morris Arboretum
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Curatorial assistant Michelle Conners will show you how to propagate plants, and you will receive plants to take home. Call 215-247-5777 x156 or 125.
Junior Naturalists Program: Observing the World in Spring
Four Saturdays in different locations:
March 29, 8:30 - 10:30 am
April 26, 8:30 - 10:30 am
May 17, 8 - 10:30 am
June 14, 8 - 10:30 am
Morris Arboretum
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Designed for kids 10 to 14 years old, this program offers hands-on outdoor experiences and increases understanding of the natural world. Expert instructors Ruth Pfeffer and Ann Rhoads will help kids identify species and sharpen observational skills.
Call 215-247-5777 x156 or 125.
Painting the Bamboo Forest for Kids
Sunday, March 30, 1 - 2:30 pm
Morris Arboretum
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Children will enjoy making graceful and elegant Japanese ink paintings with artist and teacher Allison Zito. For children ages 7 years and older. Call 215-247-5777 x156 or 125.
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Other Gardening News & Events
Continuing Education Courses
March 2008
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Learn garden design tricks, enjoy the Longwood Conservatory as your private watercolor studio, create delightful spring bouquets and more in Longwood’s Continuing Education classes for March. [more]
Scott Arboretum Events
March 2008
Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA
A guided tour of the arboretum’s green roofs and a workshop on dogwoods are among the March offerings at Scott Arboretum. [more]
Workshops and Events
March 2008
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Presentations featuring less lawn and more natives in a home landscape, early-spring blooming natives, and the interrelationship of wildflowers and geology are among the March programs at the preserve. [more]
Events at the Morris Arboretum
March 2008
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
Learn how to make a spring wreath, how to build healthy soils, how to create a beautiful landscape under mature trees, how to restore ecology in backyards and schoolyards, and much more. [more] or
call 215-247-5777 x156.
Vegetable Garden Basics
Saturday, March 1, 10 - 11:30 am
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Learn about locations, soil preparation, seed selection, and growing techniques. [more] or call 610-566-9134 x212.
Workshop: Creating Connections between Trails and Health
Tuesday, March 4, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Safeguard Scientifics Building
Penn State Great Valley Campus
Malvern, PA
This workshop will bring together trail advocates and managers, health and planning professionals, and physical activity promoters for the first time in the Delaware Valley to share information and foster collaboration. [more]
Lecture: Merger Madness
Wednesday, March 5, 7:30 pm
Roberts Elementary School
889 Croton Road
Strafford, PA
Liz Ball and Rick Ray will tell about falling in love and merging their gardens into one. Sponsored by the Wayne Woods Garden Club and the Community Garden Club at Wayne. Contact golasjane@gmail.com
Basic Floral Design
Wednesdays, March 5 - March 26, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Triple Oaks Nursery and Florist
2359 Delsea Drive
Franklinville, NJ
Students will learn how to condition and use flowers for centerpieces, vase arrangements, bouquets, and more with Lorraine Kiefer. [more]
Mosaic Plant Stand Workshop
Saturdays, March 8 & 15, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Create a colorful mosaic plant stand using pottery, pebbles, and stained glass. [more]
Plein Air Art Course
Wednesdays, March 12 & 26, April 9 & 16, 9:30 am - 2 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Join instructor Deena Ball for painting and instruction at various outdoor locations in the arboretum. [more]
Cost-Effective Ways to Manage Yard Waste: A Public Forum
Wednesday, March 12, 7 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
The Delaware Solid Waste Authority, NCC Division of Recycling, and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension have teamed up to give you ideas for managing residential yard waste. [more]
West Jersey Rose Society
Wednesday, March 12, 7:30 - 9 pm
Carman Tilelli Community Center
Cherry Hill Township Complex
820 Mercer Street
Cherry Hill, NJ
John Johnston will present “New Products for the Garden,” including deer repellent. Contact 856-234-6583.
Hardy Tropical Plants
Saturday, March 15, 2 pm
Triple Oaks Nursery and Florist
2359 Delsea Drive
Franklinville, NJ
Questions are welcome at this informal presentation by Joe Kiefer. [more]
Heaths & Heathers: A Lecture and a Tour
Wednesday, March 19, Noon-5 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
Lecture at DCH is followed by a trip to Hickory Heath & Heather, Paul and Jane Murphy’s plant nursery. [more]
Philadelphia Botanical Club
Thursday, March 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
Speaker: David Hewitt of Harvard University, “The Ascomycete Genus Neolecta in New England.” Reception will follow. [more]
Lecture: “Green Roofs Come Home”
Tuesday, March 25, 7 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
Ed Snodgrass will talk about the green technology that is expanding rapidly on corporate and residential roofs throughout Wilmington and Philadelphia. [more]
Lecture: “Native Trees Anchor the Site”
Wednesday, March 26, 7:30 pm
Learning Center Auditorium
Temple University Ambler
580 Meetinghouse Road
Ambler, PA
Designer and horticulturist Gary Koller will tell us how to choose and position native trees [more]
Lecture: “Old is Now New Again: Lessons from the Tyler Rhododendron Collection”
Sunday, March 30, 2 pm
Sharpless Auditorium
Haverford College
370 Lancaster Avenue
Haverford, PA
Robert Herald, plant recorder at Tyler Arboretum, will speak about Tyler’s restoration program for the renowned Wister Rhododendron Garden and about the lessons learned that are applicable to gardens large and small. Contact arbor@haverford.edu or 610-896-1101.
Japanese Garden Design
Thursday, April 3, 7 pm
Windsor Room, Radnor Library
West Wayne Avenue
Wayne, PA
Harriet Henderson will show how Japanese garden design principles can be used in Philadelphia gardens. Sponsored by the Community Garden Club at Wayne. Contact golasjane@gmail.com
Two-Day Conference: Unspoken Borders:
Consciousness in Sustainable Design
Friday & Saturday, April 4 - 5
University of Pennsylvania School of Design
210 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA
AIA President Marshall E. Purnell will deliver the keynote address at this year’s conference, which considers how sustainable development integrates economic, equity, and environmental concerns and evaluates how well equity has been integrated within the design professions. Sponsored by PennDesign Black Student Alliance. [more]
Fifth Annual Great Gardens and Landscaping Symposium
Friday & Saturday, April 4 - 5
Equinox Resort
Manchester, VT
Topics include the art of garden design, sensational flowering shrubs, and creating focal points in the garden. Tara Dillard and Shepherd Ogden are among the speakers. [more]
Winterthur Design Conference: Chic It Up!
Friday, May 16 - Saturday, May 17
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE
Chic it Up! will focus on design of the 1930s, with an emphasis on the architects, designers, and patrons of that period. [more]
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Garden Q & A : Closed February 25 - March 9
During Flower Show season, our friendly, knowledgeable volunteers who answer your gardening questions at the Q & A desk are at the Philadelphia Flower Show, so hold those calls and emails until Monday, March 10. If you can't wait to stump them, visit the Horticulture Information Booth on at the Flower Show and ask your garden questions there. Please note: the McLean Library is closed during the Flower Show, March 3 - 7.
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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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