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"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
 March 2006
Click on one of the topics below to jump to that section.
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Coleus at the Flower Show
The ever-popular Coleus, Solenostemon scutellaroides, will be found in many exhibits at the 2006 Philadelphia Flower Show. In the Central Feature, look for the lava flow composed of exciting Coleus cultivars. More than 1,100 cultivars are listed on the ColeusFinder database. Photos and sources will help you find your favorite.
Flower Show Special Events
New this year is The Hive Lounge, open Monday through Saturday, 5 to 9:30 pm in room 203 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Meet your friends, have a drink, listen to some local bands, then head for the Show floor to get tips from regional gardening experts at the Gardeners Studio demonstrations held on the Show floor. The free Lecture Series presents horticultural authors, Show exhibitors, and other experts talking about a wide range of garden subjects.
Fiskars®, manufacturer of garden hand tools and a sponsor of the 2006 Philadelphia Flower Show, has a “Prune to Win” action game on its web site. Although the contest has ended, you can still test your pruning skills for fun.
If you would like to know more about the name Fiskars, check this web site.
Tree Advice
Do you need expert advice to help with your tree problems? The American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) can conduct appraisals, offer preservation information, evaluate environmental impact of development, and more. You can search the ASCA directory by zip code to find a professional near you.
To learn more about tree care and stewardship, become a Tree Tender! See PHS Events below for details.
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New Books in the McLean Library
See the "What's New in the Library" page of our web site.
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PHS Events
Tree Tenders Continuing Education: Bare-Root Trees
Wednesday, March 1, 6:30 - 8 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Learn the advantages of planting bare-root trees and how to care for them. [more]
Botanical Illustration with Watercolor
Eight Tuesdays beginning March 14, 10 am - 1 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 North 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
If you feel challenged by the medium of watercolor or have wondered how botanical artists create the illusion of reality, this is the class for you. [more]
Garden Tenders Workshop: Planning for Spring Planting
Thursday, March 16, 6:30 - 8 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Make a plan now to have the most beautiful and productive garden. [more]
City Gardening Series: Gardening with Kids
Wednesday, March 22, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Holmesburg Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
7810 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Bring the joy of gardening to children. Horticultural educator Liz Dailey shares tips and techniques for creating and maintaining successful gardens for kids. [more]
Bucks County Tree Tenders Basic Training
Thursdays, March 23, 30, April 6, 6 - 9 pm
Heritage Conservancy, Aldie Mansion
85 Old Dublin Pike
Doylestown, PA
This is a three-part series for groups and individuals interested in caring for trees in their neighborhoods and receiving resources to plant trees. [more]
City Gardening Series: Pruning Shrubs and Trees
Saturday, March 25, 10 - 11 am
Awbury Garden Club at Awbury Arboretum
One Awbury Road
Philadelphia, PA
Landscape architect and community gardener Michael LoFurno demonstrates when and how to prune evergreens, deciduous trees, shrubs and hedges. [more]
TreeVitalize Continuing Education Program
Saturday, March 25, 10 - Noon
Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA
Tour the trees of beautiful Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College with grounds manager and horticulturist Jeff Jabco. [more]
City Gardening Series: Growing Plants in Challenging Places
Wednesday, March 29, 5 - 6 pm
Gideon School
2817 W. Glenwood Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Environmental educator Lori Hayes will share the best techniques and ideas for garden success in challenging places. [more]
Meadowbrook Farm Workshop: Propagating Perennials
Thursday, March 30, 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. [more]
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Other Gardening News & Events
Continuing Education Courses
March, 2006
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Students may take individual workshops as well as complete curricula in specialized areas to gain a certificate of merit. This month’s offerings include Basic or Advanced Floral Design, Plant Propagation, Latin for the Home Gardener, Spring Ephemerals for Your Garden, Gardening “Down Under” and more. [more]
Lecture: Into the Third Dimension - Vines for Your Garden
Wednesday, March 1, 7 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 North Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
Speaker Dan Long will show a wide range of vines, highlighting natives and unconventional planting ideas. [more]
The Well-Mannered Perennial Garden
Thursday, March 2, 7:30 - 9 pm
The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
Topic include planning and care, plants best suited for hot, humid summers, plants that need to be pinched back, and plants that grow too aggressively. [more]
Landscape Design Studio
Thursday, March 2, 7 - 9:30 pm and six consecutive Thursdays
The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
Landscape architect/planner Peter Godfrey Jr. will guide students in gaining a basic understanding of the landscape design process primarily through studio work, brief lectures, and individual design critiques. [more]
Schuylkill Watershed Congress
Saturday, March 4, 8:30 am - 4 pm
Montgomery County Community College, West Campus
Pottstown, PA
The Congress offers a keynote address on fish habitat plus 20 sessions covering a broad range of watershed topics. [more]
Creating Handmade Paper
Saturday, March 4, 10 am - 2:30 pm
The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
Learn what fibers to collect and when, how to turn fibers into pulp, how to design interesting surfaces using stenciling and layering. [more]
Pre-School Reading Hour
Wednesday, March 8, 10 - 11 am
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope PA
Pre-school children and parents are invited to this reading hour followed by a walk through the preserve. [more]
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Meeting: West Jersey Rose Society
Wednesday, March 8, 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Carman Tilelli Community Center
Cherry Hill Township Complex
820 Mercer Street
Cherry Hill, NJ
Gus Banks, American Rose Society Regional Director, will present a slide program on miniflora roses, a new class established by the American Rose Society for larger miniature roses. 856-234-6583
Illustrated Lecture and Dinner
Thursday, March 9, 6:30 pm
The Union League of Philadelphia
140 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
Noted British garden designer Todd Longstaffe-Gowan speaks on the gardens and parks at Hampton Court Palace. For information contact 215-587-5594 or Library@unionleague.org
Plant Stewardship Index Introductory Workshop
Thursday, March 9, 8:30 - 10:30 am OR
Saturday, March 11, 10 am - Noon
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope PA
Learn about the Index, a quantitative tool that enables land managers and stewards to survey, assess, and track native plant populations. [more]
“Public Horticulture Matters: Connecting Purpose and Presence with Future Perspectives”
Friday, March 10, 8:00 am
Longwood Gardens Ballroom
Kennett Square, PA
One-day symposium for horticulture and nonprofit professionals addresses key issues facing public horticulture today. Sponsored by the Longwood Graduate Program in Public Horticulture. [more]
GardenWise 2006: A One-Day Gardening School
Saturday, March 11, 8 am - 3:30 pm
York Suburban High School
1800 Hollywood Drive
York, PA
York County Master Gardeners sponsor a symposium covering backyard wildlife, natural plant combinations, designing and maintaining containers, and designing an eco-friendly yard and landscape. 717-840-7408 or ama24@psu.edu.
Spring Rose Care Workshop
Saturday, March 11, 10 am - 12 Noon
The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
Learn how to prune, plant, transplant, and fertilize your roses and receive one-on-one attention in pruning techniques. [more]
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Herbal Medicine Cabinet
Saturday, March 11, 10 am - 1 pm
The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
Learn how to prepare herbal medicines using cultivated plants and backyard weeds. [more]
Scott Associates’ Spring Festival
Sunday, March 12, 4 pm
Lang Performing Arts Center
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Richard E. Bir receives the Scott Medal and Award, given to an individual for outstanding contribution to the art and science of gardening. [more]
Guided Tour: A Walk with the Curator
Monday, March 13, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Departs from Scott Arboretum Offices
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Andrew Bunting will discuss recent accessions and why plants were removed from the collection and maybe should be removed from your garden. [more]
Gardening with Mosses
Tuesday, March 14, 7:30 pm
Lang Performing Arts Center Cinema
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Lecture. [more]
Pruning Shrubs: Broad-Leaved and Needle-Leaved
Wednesday, March 15, 9 am − 4 pm
The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
In this training course for arborists and landscape professionals, Iana Turner discusses when and how to prune for bloom, fruit set, and hedge maintenance and offers supervised hands-on pruning. [more]
Early Spring Container Plantings
Wednesday, March 15, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE 19735
Educational demonstration with horticulturist Suzanne French. [more]
Pruning for the Homeowner
Tuesday, March 15, 7 - 9 pm AND
Saturday, March 18, 10 am - 12:30 pm
The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
In this two-session class, through demonstration and hands-on practice, students will learn to skillfully prune young trees and shrubs to achieve pleasant, natural shapes, and abundant flowering. [more]
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Plant sale plus display of Growers’ Selections for 2006
Saturday, March 18, 10 am
The Horticulture Center
Horticultural Drive, West Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA
Sponsored by Delaware Valley Chapter of the Hobby Greenhouse Association. Contact Bernie Wiener at 610-446-216 or by email LINK to wiener1@verizon.net
Guided Tour: Spring Bulbs
Monday, March 18, 10:00 am - Noon
Departs from Scott Arboretum Offices
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
View spring bulbs blooming at the arboretum. [more]
Symposium: March into Spring X
Saturday, March 18, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Gregg Conference Center
American College
270 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA
The daylong event will feature lectures, demonstrations, a silent auction, and plant and accessory sales. [more]
Garden Tool Maintenance & Sharpening
Wednesday, March 22, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE 19735
Educational demonstration with Marlin Dise, farm and environmental superintendent. [more]
Philadelphia Botany Club
Thursday, March 23, 7:30 pm
Marvin Comisky Conference Center
Blank Rome Comisky & McCauley LLP
One Logan Square
Philadelphia, PA
Lecture by Roger Latham: Continental Conservation, “The Native Grasslands and Meadows of Pennsylvania—Past, Present, and Future.” [more]
A Home for Your Birds
Saturday, March 25, 9 am - Noon
Scott Arboretum Classroom
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Hands-on family workshop with Dan Benarcik. Children will enjoy building a birdhouse for the garden to attract wrens, nuthatches, and chickadees. [more]
Brandywine Park: History, Architecture, and Trees
Saturday, March 25, 10 am - Noon
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 North Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
Walking tour with Susan Mulchahey Chase, park historian and author, and Patrice Sheehan, tree program manager. [more]
Street Trees: A Walk into Diversity
Saturday, March 25, 10 am - Noon
Departs from Scott Arboretum Offices
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Guided Tour. Learn about diverse types of trees for use as street trees. [more]
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Knowing Native Plants: Signs of Spring
Saturday, March 25, 10 - 1 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope PA
Slides and discussion followed by outdoor tour. [more]
Lecture: “The Evolution of a Gardening Space”
Sunday, March 26, 2 pm
Sharpless Auditorium
Haverford College
370 Lancaster Avenue
Haverford, PA
Janet Draper, horticulturist for the Smithsonian Institution’s Mary Livingston Ripley Garden, will speak about creating a new garden while keeping in mind changing planting styles and plant availability. 610-896-1101
Slide Program and Unveiling
Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center
Sunday, March 26, 2 pm
105 Seminary Ave
Pennsburg, PA
“A Link to the Past - Uncovering the Hidden Treasures of the Mysterious Schwenkfelder Herbarium,” a slide program narrated by Aaron Heckler, co-curator, followed by unveiling of herbarium and opening of exhibit. Contact Lynne at 610-287-4276.
Daily Guided Tours
Wednesday, March 27 through October 31, 2 - 3 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope PA
Join a naturalist for a walk on the Preserve’s trails. [more]
Tree Protection during Construction
Wednesday, March 29, 9 am − 4 pm
The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
In this course designed for architects, builders, developers, or anyone interested in preserving trees, A. William Graham Jr. discusses how to prevent damage to trees during construction. [more]
Naturalistic Bulb Design and Care
Wednesday, March 29, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE 19735
Educational demonstration and guided walk with Carol Long, assistant curator of the garden. [more]
Home Gardener’s School
Saturday, April 1, 8 am - 4 pm
Gregg Conference Center
American College
270 S. Bryn Mawr Ave
Bryn Mawr, PA
Pick up tips from the experts at this program of lectures sponsored by the Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Delaware County Master Gardeners. [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
During Flower Show season, our friendly, knowledgeable volunteers who answer your gardening questions on the Ask-A-Gardener plant information desk are at the Philadelphia Flower Show, so hold those calls and emails until Monday, March 13. If you can't wait to stump them, visit the Horticulture Information Booth on the Show floor and ask your garden questions there. Please note: the McLean Library is closed during the Flower Show, March 5 - 12.
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About the Wired Gardener
Edited by Janet Evans, library manager, McLean Library, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; contributions: Jane Alling and Priscilla Becroft.
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