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"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
May 2007
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Web Reviews
Happy 300th Birthday!
Carl Linnaeus was born in Sweden in 1707. His publications surveyed all known plant and animal species of the world at the time. His studies of botany resulted in the first method of classifying of plants on the basis of their sexual parts, a system still in use today. Its no wonder his 300th birthday is cause for worldwide celebration. To learn more about Linnaeus or to join in the tercentenary celebration, visit the websites of The Linnaean Society of London or Linnaeus 2007.
Catalogue of Life Exceeds One Million Species
It seems fitting that during Linnaeus’s tercentenary year, Species 2000 and Interagency Taxonomic Information System’s Catalogue of Life has exceeded one million entries. The Catalogue of Life is the product of the collaboration of several governmental agencies, including National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, and the Smithsonian Institution. This partnership has become known as the Interagency Taxonomic Information System, or ITIS. Its goal is to catalogue all Earth’s animal and plant species by 2011. They estimate that they are “just more than half done.” Click here to browse their impressive work so far.
Wildflower Power
The entire family can learn about wildflowers on the US Forest Service’s Celebrating Wildflowers, a website dedicated to instruction about and enjoyment of our nation’s wildflowers. Check in periodically for the Plant of the Week or Pollinator of the Month, and to update your children’s coloring books with the site’s coloring pages.
Kitchen Gardeners of the World, Unite!
If you enjoy growing and eating plants from your garden, visit Kitchen Gardeners International’s website. Their mission is “to empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve greater levels of food self-reliance through the promotion of kitchen gardening, home-cooking, and sustainable local food systems.” Perhaps you’d like to find a recipe, volunteer to participate in Kitchen Garden Day (August 26, 2007), or see a picture of people sporting asparagus costumes. You can do all this and more at the website.
Two Websites for Garden Travel Near and Far
Plant Discovery Tours introduces plant lovers to the horticultural glories that make the Philadelphia region the North American horticultural capital. This venture, “designed by plant lovers for plant lovers,” offers tours by themes -- “Historic Landscapes: 300 years of History and Nature Intertwined;” “Progressive Women in Horticulture;” “The Art of the Garden;” and “The Healing Power of Gardens.” Tours are offered as packages or are self-guided and range from single-day to five-day tours.
Are you planning to be in the U.K. in June? Ashton under Hill is holding an open gardens weekend on June 9 & 10. For more gardens to visit in Britain, consult the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden Finder to search by garden name, county, and more.
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Film Celebrates PHS’s City Harvest Program
Sunday, May 20, 2 pm
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia filmmaker Deborah Rudman has produced a documentary about PHS’s City Harvest Program, which premiered at the Philadelphia Film Festival in April. The next screening will be held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Sunday, May 20, at 2 pm. For details on this free program (Museum admission is “pay what you will” on Sundays) visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art web site.
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PHS McLean Library News
Now Available! Horticultural Speakers List
Attention all local garden clubs and civic organizations! Do you need a speaker for gardening and related topics? Contact Priscilla Becroft at 215-988-8772 or by email for a copy of this list.
Donations Needed for Book Sale
Spring cleaning? Recycle your gardening books by donating them to us for the annual McLean Library Book Sale. The fall sale will take place on Tuesday, October 2nd, 9:30 am to 5 pm in the library. We seek gardening books, natural history books, and cookbooks in good condition. Questions? Call 215-988-8772.
Don't Miss our Library Exhibit!
Flora of North America
Through June 30, 2007
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society McLean Library
100 North 20th Street, 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA
The Flora of North America, an ambitious project to be completed in 2011, presents for the first time in one publication the names, relationships, continent-wide distributions, and characteristics of all native and naturalized plants found in North America north of Mexico. This small exhibit in the McLean Library presents selected volumes of the 30-volume Flora as well as earlier American floras, field guides, photographs, collected plants, and a lesson plan. Its intent is to explain why, with habitat destruction and the fact that new plants are still being discovered, we need a twenty-first-century flora of North America. The library is open 9 to 5, Monday through Friday.
New Books in Library
See the "What's New in the Library" page of our web site.
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PHS Events
Opening reception
Botanical Illustration Student Exhibition
Wednesday, May 2, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society McLean Library
100 North 20th Street, 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA
For several years, PHS has offered a workshop in botanical illustration. The eight-week introductory class is led by Eileen Rosen, who has taught botanical drawing at the University of the Arts, New York Botanical Garden, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Rio Bravo Research Station in Belize, Central America. This spring, past and present students in the class will exhibit their work in the PHS McLean Library. The exhibit will be on display from May 1 through June 1. The reception is open to the public and will be held in the Library.
City Gardening Series: Spring Tree Walk
Wednesday, May 2, 6 - 7:30 pm
Horticulture Center, Fairmount Park
Belmont Avenue and North Horticultural Drive
Philadelphia, PA
Join us as Fairmount Park district manager Lori Hayes guides us on a tour to see the diverse trees surrounding the Horticulture Center. [more]
City Gardening Series: The Fragrant Flower Garden
Wednesday, May 2, 7 - 8 pm
Fox Chase Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
501 Rhawn Street
Philadelphia, PA
This workshop will focus on designing and planting a garden of fragrant flowers. [more]
Coach Tour, Duke Farm: Indoor Display Garden and Country Manor
Thursday, May 3, 9 am - 6 pm
Duke Farm
Hillsborough, NJ
Coach pickups will be available at the Horticulture Center and PHS at 20th and Arch Streets. Our tour will take us to the Duke Farm estate in Hillsborough, New Jersey, which was developed by tobacco and hydropower magnate James Buchanan Duke beginning in 1893. [more]
Book Club, 'Stories From the Garden'
Thursday, May 3, 5:45 - 7:45 pm
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society McLean Library
100 North 20th Street, 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA
This month's selection: J. L. Carr, A Month in the Country. [more]
City Gardening Series: Fragrance and the Garden
Saturday, May 5, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Oak Lane Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
6614 N. 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Fill your garden with fragrance. Eva Monheim discusses the many wonderful plant choices for fragrant gardens. [more]
City Gardening Series: Creating Mixed Garden Borders
Monday, May 7, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
West Oak Lane Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
2000 Washington Lane
Philadelphia, PA
Lori Hayes will share design ideas and give tips on how to plan a mixed border, including color combinations, foliage texture, and soil preparation. [more]
City Gardening Series: All about Annuals
Wednesday, May 9, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Tacony Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
6742 Torresdale Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Charlotte Kidd will lead this hands-on workshop demonstrating planting techniques for annuals. Please come prepared to help with the planting. [more]
City Gardening Series: Tips for Great Looking Container Gardens
Saturday, May 12, 2 - 3 pm
Nicetown Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
3720 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
Janet Carter demonstrates that even the smallest patio or porch can host a crop of vegetables or a garden of flowers in containers. [more]
City Gardening Series: Growing Herbs in the Home Garden
Monday, May 14, 7 - 8 pm
Northeast Regional Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
2228 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Penn State Extension agent Doris Stahl will offer information for herb gardeners on the history, cultivation, harvesting, and use of herbs. [more]
Tree Tenders in Philadelphia
Three Wednesdays, May 16, 23 & 30, 5:45 - 8:45 pm
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Become a Tree Tender! In partnership with Penn State Cooperative Extension, PHS offers nine hours of tree-care training for residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding region. [more]
Chanticleer Walk: Shade Gardening and Spring Perennials for Shade
Wednesday, May 16, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Gardening in the shade poses a unique set of challenges, but the rewards can be most satisfying as you enjoy the cool blends of colors and textures that shady gardens offer. [more]
City Gardening Series: Caring for Flowering Houseplants
Wednesday, May 16, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Greater Olney Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
5501 N. 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Horticultural therapist Mona Gold will share tips for choosing the best flowering houseplants, caring for them, and getting the most enjoyment from them. [more]
City Gardening Series: Chanticleer through the Seasons -- Spring
Thursday, May 17, 4:30 - 9 pm
Chanticleer
Wayne, PA
Join us for an enchanting evening at Chanticleer, a wonderful 32-acre garden of ever-changing colors and textures. Buses will leave PHS, 100 N. 20th St., Philadelphia at 4:30 pm SHARP, returning to Philadelphia by 9 pm. [more]
PHS Garden Visit: Chester Springs
Sunday, May 20, Noon - 5 pm
Chester Springs
Chester County, PA
Open to PHS members and their guests. [more]
City Gardening Series: Containers in Small Spaces
Monday, May 21, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Ogontz Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
6017 Ogontz Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Environmental educator Lori Hayes will teach the basics of plant selection, design, watering and fertilizing for lush, colorful containers. [more]
City Gardening Series: Growing Fruits & Vegetables in Containers
Wednesday, May 23, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Tacony Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
6742 Torresdale Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Come to this workshop and learn how you can enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables grown in containers on your porch or patio. [more]
Chanticleer Walk: Vertical and Horizontal
Thursday, May 24, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
In this informal walk and discussion in the garden, Dan Benarcik will discuss the use of vines and groundcovers that can be used to complement your landscape and garden plantings. [more]
City Gardening Series: Caring for Flowering Houseplants
Wednesday, May 30, 6 - 7 pm
Fishtown Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
1217 E. Montgomery Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Bring your garden indoors! Learn tips for choosing and maintaining the best flowering houseplants. [more]
Self-Guided Garden Tour
Center City Secret Gardens
Saturday, June 2, Noon - 3 pm
Center City Philadelphia
Here’s a rare opportunity to visit some public gardens you might not know about, gardens that you might otherwise never see, and enjoy some other horticultural highlights along the way. PHS is partnering with the Center City Residents Association to visit gardens in the Rittenhouse Square, Fitler Square, and Logan Square neighborhoods, as well as winners of PHS’s City Gardens Contest. Please reserve by May 15. Fee: $20 PHS members and CCRA members; $30 non-members. Call 215-988-8869 to register.
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Family-Friendly Gardening
Butterflies, Birds & Cinco de Mayo
Camden Children’s Garden Family Festival
Saturday, May 12
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08103
Contact Betsy Payne at bpayne@camdenchildrensgarden.org or 856-365-8733.
Preschool Reading Hour
Thursday, May 17, 10 - 11 am
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Pre-school children ages 3 to 5 and parents are invited to this reading hour followed by a walk through the Preserve. Kids will make a simple craft to take home. [more]
Fit & Fun Festival
Camden Children’s Garden Family Festival
Saturday, May 26
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08103
Contact Betsy Payne at bpayne@camdenchildrensgarden.org or 856-365-8733.
A Walk in the Moonlight
Saturday, May 26, 8 - 9:30 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Explore the natural world at night. You may see bats hunting for insects over Pidcock Creek, hear owls calling, or see early fireflies. Suitable for children and adults of all ages. [more]
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Other Gardening News & Events
Continuing Education Courses
May, 2007
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Decipher Latin lingo, learn to identify and prevent pests in the garden, or delve into the world of orchids during classes in May at Longwood Gardens. [more]
Walks, Workshops and Events
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
A native plant sale, bird walks, daily wildflower tours, a nature reading group and a flower-pressing workshop are among the numerous May offerings at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. [more]
When Plants Attack
Wednesday, May 2, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE
Educational demonstration with horticulturist Amy Bloom. [more]
Art Loop Reception
Friday, May 4, 5:30 - 8 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
The Community Gallery at DCH celebrates 25 years of the Wilmington City Gardens Contest with a photo exhibit of over 20 winning gardens. [more]
Bartram’s Garden Native Plant Sale
Friday, May 4, 3 - 7 pm (members only)
Saturday, May 5, 8 am (morning bird walk)
Saturday, May 5, 10 am - 3 pm (public sale and open house)
Bartram’s Garden
54th Street & Lindbergh Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA
Stock up for spring planting with trees, shrubs, perennials, herbs, heirloom vegetables and annuals. [more]
“Spring Time at Hortulus”
Saturday, May 5, 9 am - 5 pm
Hortulus Farm Nursery & Gardens
60 Thompson Mill Road
Wrightstown, PA
Celebrate spring with lectures, a book signing, free tours and a plant sale, all sponsored by Heritage Conservancy. [more]
Linnaeus 300 Panel Discussion & Garden Walk
Saturday, May 5, 1:30 - 3 pm
Bartram’s Garden Coach House
54th Street & Lindbergh Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA
Curator Joel Fry leads a panel discussion on botanist Carl Linnaeus. Garden tour will follow. [more]
“Gold Medal Plant” Arboretum Walk
Sunday, May 6, 1:30 pm
Haverford College Arboretum
370 Lancaster Avenue
Haverford, PA
Meet at the Whitehead Campus Center to join the horticultural staff of Haverford College on a walk to see why Gold Medal trees and shrubs might thrive in your home garden. Contact 610-896-1101.
Lecture: The Gardens of the National Trust of Scotland
Sunday, May 6, 2 pm
Lang Performing Arts Center Cinema
Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA
Maurice Wilkins will speak about these Scottish gardens and their history. [more]
Winterthur’s Most Wanted
Wednesday, May 9, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE
Guided walk with outreach horticulturist Dave Birk. [more]
Meeting: West Jersey Rose Society
Wednesday, May 9, 7:30 - 9 pm
Carman Tilelli Community Center
Cherry Hill Township Complex
820 Mercer Street
Cherry Hill, NJ
American Rose Society consulting rosarian Pat Bilson will speak on “All about Exhibiting Roses.” Call 856-234-6583.
Founders Lecture: Putting Herbs in their Place
Wednesday, May 9, 7:30 pm
Mandell Room 114
Henry Schmieder Arboretum of Delaware Valley College
700 East Butler Avenue
Doylestown, PA
Dr. John D. Martin’s presentation will focus on the use and placement of herbs in the broader landscape. [more] or call 215-489-2283.
Community Gardens Spring Plant Sale & Open House
Friday, May 11, 3 - 7 pm
Hattie Phelan Community Garden
10th & Pine Streets
Wilmington, DE
Delaware Center for Horticulture sponsors a sale of locally grown vegetable starts and flowering plants specifically selected to flourish in the urban environment. [more]
Community Gardens Spring Plant Sale & Open House
Saturday, May 12, 9 - 3 pm
Valley Community Garden
8th & Jefferson Streets
Wilmington, DE
Delaware Center for Horticulture sponsors a sale of locally grown vegetable starts and flowering plants specifically selected to flourish in the urban environment. [more]
Guided Tour: Rhododendrons and Azaleas
Saturday, May 12, 10 am - Noon
Departs from Scott Arboretum Offices
Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA
Experience the arboretum’s collection of rhododendrons and azaleas established by renowned plantsman Dr. John Wister. [more]
Guided Tour: A Walk with the Curator
Monday, May 14, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Departs from Scott Arboretum Offices
Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA
Andrew Bunting will provide an in-depth look at the collections, gardens, and plant selections. [more]
Workshop for Adults
Wednesday, May 16, 10 - 11:30 am
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08103
Learn how to create colorful potted gardens with Michael Bowell. Contact Betsy Payne at bpayne@camdenchildrensgarden.org or 856-365-8733.
Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden
Wednesday, May 16, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE
Talk by Jim Smith, natural resources technician. [more]
An Evening in Wilmington’s Public Gardens
Thursday, May 17, 5 pm
Begins at Goodstay Gardens
University of Delaware, Wilmington Campus
8th & Jefferson Streets
Wilmington, DE
The Delaware Center for Horticulture, Goodstay Gardens, and Gibraltar Gardens host a progressive picnic supper. [more]
The Garden Conservancy Open Days Program
Private Garden Tours, Plant Sale and Guest Speakers
Saturday - Sunday, May 18 - 19, 10 am - 4 pm
Visit gardens in Wrightstown and Doylestown, PA, including Fordhook Farm. [more]
Hobby Greenhouse Association
Saturday, May 19, 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.
Friends of River Farm Family Picnic
Sunday, May 20
The American Horticultural Society
George Washington’s River Farm
7931 East Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, VA
Bring the family for good food and fun. Contact Viveka Neveln at vneveln@ahs.org or 703-768-5700 x120.
Workshop: Unconventional Containers
Tuesday, May 22, 9:30 am - 2 pm
Scott Arboretum Classroom and Gardens
Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA
This workshop will focus on containers and their influence on your creative masterpieces. [more]
Quarry Garden in Bloom
Wednesday, May 23, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE
Guided walk with Suzanne French, garden horticulturist. [more]
The Irresistible Iris Family
Wednesday, May 23, 7:30 pm
Mandell Room 114
Henry Schmieder Arboretum of Delaware Valley College
700 East Butler Avenue
Doylestown, PA
Carol Ann Moyer will share her passion for this beautiful perennial and its history, as well as the variety of species, sizes, and bloom times. Prior to her lecture, she will conduct a guided tour of the iris garden named in her honor at 6:30 pm. [more] or call 215-489-2283.
Tour: RareFind Nursery & Grounds for Sculpture
Thursday, May 24, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE 19806
Travel to Jackson, NJ, for a tour of the extensive rhododendron collection at RareFind Nursery, and then have lunch at Grounds for Sculpture. [more]
Lecture: “Recovery of a Lichen Community near the Palmerton Zinc Smelters”
Thursday, May 24, 7:30 pm
Comisky Conference Center
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA
Sponsored by the Academy’s Botany Department. Contact Alina Freire-Fierro at freirefierro@ansp.org or 215-299-1157.
Summer Annuals
Wednesday, May 30, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE
Guided walk with horticulturist Michele Sykes. [more]
Taste of River Farm
Thursday, May 31
The American Horticultural Society
George Washington’s River Farm
7931 East Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, VA
An evening at River Farm featuring gourmet cuisine from Alexandria-area restaurants. Contact Viveka Neveln at vneveln@ahs.org or 703-768-5700 x120.
24th Annual Demuth Garden Tour
June 9 - 10, 10 am - 5 pm
Demuth Museum
120 East King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
This year’s House and Garden Tour will offer exclusive access to homes and gardens at eleven Lancaster locations. [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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About the Wired Gardener
Edited by Janet Evans, library manager, McLean Library, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; contributions: Elena Sisti and Priscilla Becroft.
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