Gateway Gardener
MARCH 2022
THE
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Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes
Garden Classics
Surviving the Test of Time
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Gateway Gardener THE
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Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes
MARCH 2022
Volume 18, Number 1
Founded in 2005 by Joyce Bruno & Robert Weaver Publisher and Editor Robert Weaver Columnists Diane Brueckman Rosey Acres Abby Lapides Sugar Creek Gardens Steffie Littlefield Edg-Clif Winery Jennifer Schamber Greenscape Gardens Scott Woodbury Shaw Nature Reserve
Printing: Breese Publishing, Breese, IL The Gateway Gardener® is published 9 times/year by Double Dig Communications, Inc. to promote enjoyable, successful gardening and livable landscapes in the St. Louis greater metropolitan area. The magazine is distributed free to the public at designated garden centers, nurseries, garden gift shops, lawn equipment rental, repair and sales establishments, and other locations supporting sound gardening, lawn and landscaping practices. Please send letters-to-the-editor, questions, event announcements, editorial suggestions and contributions, photos, advertising inquiries and materials, and any other correspondence to:
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I
From the Editor
majored in English with a minor in History back in the day, (and of course an associate’s degree in Horticulture more recently), so I’ve always had an interest in the stories behind people, things and events (Mary rolled her eyes and went upstairs to read last month when I suggested we watch the PBS documentary “The History of Jeans”).
history associated with it than that of roses. For centuries they’ve been bred for bigger and more abundant blooming, while in the process losing much of their fragrance and gaining greater susceptibility to pest and disease damage. Now, their hybridization seems to be coming full circle. Current trends are attempting to reintroduce fragrance while selecting plants that are better capable of fending off problems decades, and still compete without the need for chemical intervention. Diane Brueckman favorably today. introduces us to some new There are no more historically favorites of hers for 2022 on distinguished plants than page 16. tropical houseplants, many of which look like something out Meanwhile, another spring of Jurassic Park (indeed fossil is coming around, and The records have confirmed their Gateway Gardener is tacking as we pre-historic presence). And onto its own history, th if your view of houseplants enter into our 18 calendar is still limited to grandma’s year of publication. Thanks spider plant or your college to the readers, advertisers, dorm room philodendron, contributors and family for you’ll be surprised by the wide helping us continue to turn world offered by today’s ever- the pages, both magazine and expanding selections. Jennifer calendar. Schamber has been scouting out the latest introductions to satisfy Good Gardening! even the geekiest tropical plant enthsiasts. Check them out beginning on page 8.
One of my favorite occasional features in this magazine is the “St. Louis Hort History” series that highlights the stories of our local green industry nurseries and other businesses (more coming this year, by the way). So I read with great interest Abby Lapides’ contribution this month recalling some garden classics that have stood the test of time (page 4). In our industry, as with most industries, the driver of growth is found in the ongoing contributions of plant breeders and growers and their unceasing development of new plants with more desirable characteristics (sometimes a debatable judgement) such as bloom size, color, fragrance or plant size or habit. So it’s fun to read about some tried-andtrue plants that have beautified our landscapes for years and No plant group has more
On the Cover... Bleeding hearts ( D i c e n t r a spectabilis) have been a spring garden favorite for over a century, just one of several timetested garden gotos you’ll find beginning on page 4. Photo by Robert Weaver
IN THIS ISSUE 4 Garden Classics 8 Tropical Treasure Hunt 12 Winter Pruning 14 Veggie Planting Calendar 16 New Roses for 2022 18 Therapeutic Horticulture 19 Gardening With Children 20 Dig This 22 Upcoming Events
These Garden Classics Survive the Test of Time By Abby Lapides
Upright elephant ears, Alocasia ordera, have been getting attention in gardens for years, as seen in this photo from the Missouri Botanical Garden (then Shaw’s Garden) from 1898. very holiday season families circle around the TV to classics permeate our culture, entertaining previous, current and watch It’s a Wonderful Life. Charlotte’s Web will be subsequent generations alike. Well, there are classic plants too. read in grade schools throughout the country. These These celebrated varieties have been grown in gardens for years, centuries and even millennia. Gardeners covet these exceptional plants today as much as when they were introduced.
E
THE FIRST SIGNS OF
SPRING COLOR
Discovered in Georgia growing on the Blue Ridge Parkway ‘Jacob Cline’ beebalm, Monarda, has been a staple in sunny gardens for over 30 years. Vibrant red tubular flowers bloom in a whorled pattern. Square shaped sturdy stems hold the bright flowers upright, making them easy for hummingbirds to spot. In a study on beebalms conducted at the renowned Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware, ‘Jacob Cline’ was the most popular of all beebalms for attracting
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hummingbirds. Upright elephant ears, Alocasia ordera, has entertained gardeners for centuries with its heavily ribbed, upward pointing arrowheadshaped leaves. In St. Louis it has been used extensively for years, often found in our parks and public greenhouses. In fact, it has been displayed at Missouri Botanical Garden for over 100 years! Created by one of the most prolific breeders of the 20th century, ‘Terracotta’ yarrow, Achillea, still shines today as it did when introduced in post-war Germany. In summer its apricot orange blossoms lighten to soft pastel yellow, peachy orange and all shades in between. With all the colors showing at once it creates a magnificent canvas of color. The wispy foliage adds texture and dimension to the garden when not blooming.
Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’
Brought to America from China and Japan in the 1800s, old fashioned bleeding heart, Dicentra (or Lamprocapnos) spectabilis, captured the minds and hearts of gardeners and has been a mainstay in the shade garden ever since. With its plump, dangling pink heartshaped flowers, it’s no wonder as to why. Best grown in moist, humusy soils in part shade but will tolerate full shade as well. Astilbe ‘Fanal’ has been showing off in gardens for almost 100 years. Developed by the famous breeder Georg Arends in the early 20th century, ‘Fanal’ is still one of most popular astilbes available today. Its bright candy red blooms add striking color to the shade garden. Ferny foliage emerges mahogany red before turning green in the summer. cont’d on next page
Achillea ‘Terracotta’ Abby Lapides is owner and a speaker at Sugar Creek Gardens Nursery. She has degrees from the University of Missouri, and is a member of the Landscape and Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis. You can reach her at (314) 965-3070.
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Astilbe ‘Fanal’ Dicentra spectabilis Introduced in 1980 and still a gardeners’ favorite, ‘Sum and Substance’ Hosta commands attention in the shade garden. Thick golden leaves grow to a whopping 3’ in height and up to 5’ wide. This multi award winner was named Hosta of the Year in 2004 and has been named the most popular Hosta in the American Hosta Society popularity pole. While lilacs, Syringa, have been a popular shrub in the garden since the 1500s they weren’t actively hybridized until the late 19th century. Introduced in 1943, ‘Beauty of Moscow’ is prized for its pink buds that open to white double flowers. As the flowers mature
Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ the highly prized fragrance becomes more striking. Though it’s over 70 years old, ‘Beauty of Moscow’ is still considered one the top lilacs available today. These extraordinary cultivars are as tough as they are beautiful – no wilting violets would be able to stand the test of time. If you’re looking for beautiful, easy to grow and prolific, look no further than the classics. Photo credits: Alocasia ordera courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden. Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’, Achillea ‘Terracotta’, and Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ by Ann Lapides. Dicentra spectabilis and Astilbe ‘‘Fanal’ courtesy Walters Gardens.
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The Great Tropical Treasure Hunt Text and Photos by Jennifer Schamber
“T
These plants are closely linked hrough trial and to both human history as well error these plant species have found as modern times. Over the past five years, and especially that the best way to [proliferate] during the COVID-era, a new is to induce animals—bees or generation has been feeling people, it hardly matters—to spread their genes. How? By the call of nature pulling them towards the wonder of the plant playing on the animals’ desires, conscious and otherwise.” This world. This desire has stemmed from human beings having quote from the book, The Botany an innate desire to nurture of Desire, by Michael Pollen, that which they care about. refers to the concept that plants The allure of these plants has use and manipulate animals and insects to help themselves grow sparked this group to seek out tropical treasures and to hunt and thrive. Together, plants and animals have co-evolved for rare and unusual selections from around the world. and have often relied on each This display case features an assortment of beautiful tropical other for survival. In the book, This tropical treasure hunt has Pollan tells the story of how four treatures. What will you find on your hunt? connected plant enthusiasts fundamental human desires— sweetness, beauty, intoxication and control—are linked to plants from around the world who are learning from each other, sharing that satisfy these—the apple, the tulip, cannabis and the potato. sources and working together to help grow and spread access to a wide range of tropical plants. Many of these can be grown in a
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hobby outdoors and learning how to grow food or exploring the native flora in their area. Awareness of the importance of plants and their connection to human wellness is growing exponentially. Exploration of this topic is easy through online forums. Instagram sparked the Pilea peperomioides craze several years ago and continues to influence what people are hunting for. The conversations deepen through online forums like the International Aroid Society and local groups like Plant Lovers of Metro STL, where like-minded people can connect and share. The garden center trade has had a challenge keeping up with these tropical treasure hunters and their voracious appetite for rare and hard-tofind specimens. Demand far exceeds supply for the latest crazes, then once a plant goes into tissue culture (cloning) production and is produced on a large scale, the supply increases and demand simmers down. This process can sometimes happen quickly, cont’d on next page
Alocasia baginda ‘Dragon Scale’ windowsill in a small apartment, giving everyone the opportunity to be able to connect with nature, on any level. As these new nurturers learn more about the care of plants and find success, they are seeking out new ways to practice their skillset. Some are learning to grow in controlled environments or are taking this new
Jennifer Schamber is the General Manager of Greenscape Gardens, and plays leaderships roles in the Western Nursery & Landscape Association, GrowNative! and the Landscape & Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis. She has earned Green Profit Magazine’s Young Retailer Award, and Greenscape Gardens was named the National Winner of the 2015 “Revolutionary 100” Garden Centers by Today’s Garden Center Magazine.
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cont’d from previous page
Alocasia ‘Dragon’s Breath’
Fiddle Leaf Fig Variegated
Philodendron ‘Ring of Fire’
ZZ Plant Variegated
great hope that this love, desire and appreciation for plants further increases awareness about the importance of our natural habitats and preserves around the world. Be it the forests in Thailand or the within a year or two, while other species can take multiple years prairies in North America, we nurture what we love, and we tend based on their growth habits. Some collectors work closely with to love what we know. The more we learn about plants the better tissue culture labs that propagate exclusively for specific growers our chances for future generations to discover these treasures for to release through their own channels in different parts of the themselves. country. Other smaller growers may sell directly to consumers through a platform like Etsy. There’s still not a perfect method Note to reader: Not all the plants featured in this article are to ship rare plants through the mail or shipping company (due to currently widely available in the trade. Check first with one weather conditions and other uncontrollable factors), so there’s of the many independent garden centers in town that offer a always the risk of receiving damaged goods. The best way to avoid wide selection of tropical houseplants. If you need to purchase this disappointment is to treasure hunt at your favorite local garden rare plants from an online resource, only buy from reputable centers. growers. Be aware of plant poaching, which involves the illegal removal of rare and endangered plants from their natural Collecting plants is fun and satisfying, but above all else, it is with habitat.
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TREES WORK
health for your
Feeling tired? Spending just 20 minutes outside can give your brain an energy boost comparable to a cup of coffee.
Spending time in nature, conservation areas, woods, backyards, and urban parks may ease stress levels.
Getting away from busy schedules allows people to connect with nature and themselves in a way that brings calm and a sense of well-being.
Taking a nature walk may increase attention spans and creative problem-solving skills by as much as 50 percent.
Exposure to nature contributes to physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.
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Naturally Natives Last Chance for Winter pruning Text and Photos by Scott Woodbury
M
y favorite winter activity, besides going for long walks through the woods, is pruning trees and shrubs. March is the last month to do it before they leaf out in April. Why prune before leafout? It’s easy to see the branching structure, and safer in terms of disease spread. Oaks, for instance, must be pruned either when dormant in winter or after the seasonal growth spurt is complete (usually after July 1). Pruning oaks during the early growing season creates seeping wounds that may invite deadly pathogens into the tree. There are many branch issues to look for and resolve (also called corrective pruning). First is crossing or rubbing branches.
These are branches that cross each other close enough to rub off the outer bark layer. You can tell where rubbing occurs because it looks like a worn-out leather shoe—shiny and the worse for wear. One of the branches needs to go, so prune out the one that does not fill the space properly. This can be an easy decision when one branch points toward the house or back into the center of the plant. Take that one. But what if they both point outward and it’s not so obvious? In this case, save the branch that fills the space better. Huh? This is what I like so much about pruning. You have to visualize what the branch structure will look like without one or the other crossed branch. Which looks better in your head? At this point, An example of a well-pruned redbud tree, with properly spaced remind yourself that you can’t put limbs and esthetically pleasing structure. the branch back on the plant after it is cut. So think carefully, take your time (leave it for another day) and make the right decision. When it’s a toss-up, you can’t go wrong either way.
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Next is multiple leaders on a tree. A leader is the singular, and usually central, branch that grows faster and taller than all the rest. It is what forms the often massive trunk on old trees. At times there are two or three branches competing for the same place at the top. This is not good, because they usually grow to have narrow and weak branch angles. ‘Bradford’ pears are notorious for this. They grow for ten or fifteen years, produce multiple leaders, and then one suddenly breaks off in strong wind. One landed on my car years ago! Pruning trees with multiple leaders is usually easy when they are young. Save the leader that looks the most robust or is pointing in the direction of the area you want to fill. If one side is pointing toward the house, prune the leader on that side off.
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Ideally, you want to prune when trees are young—2-5 years old is ideal. Do not prune newly planted trees for a year or two. Let them get established, even if you want to shape them right away. Don’t be tempted,
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Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for 30 years. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program.
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Tips and Resources for Growing and Landscaping with Sustainable Native Plants
When pruning heavier branches, first make an undercut as shown above to prevent tearing the bark. Then make the 2nd cut from above to remove the branch. If a stump remains, remove it at the branch collar. because trees develop stronger and thicker trunks when they are allowed to establish a strong root system first. When it gets too old, climbing the tree can be cumbersome and dangerous. If you have a double leader on an old tree, hire a qualified arborist to safely help you out. Be careful when pruning branches that are more than an inch in diameter or more than three feet long, because they could come down and break something, like you. They also can come down with a long ugly bark tear. Always make three cuts on branches like these. The first cut should be from below to prevent a bark tear. Make the undercut several inches away from the main trunk and only partially (5 to 10% through). The second cut should be directly above the first, cutting the rest of the way through, until the branch comes free. The third and final cut is close to the main branch, but not too close. Identify the branch collar (slightly swollen area at the base of the branch you are cutting) and prune just outside it. The branch collar produces growth hormones that stimulate new tissue that closes over the wound. Never paint or tar over cuts because this may encourage rot. Perhaps it’s obvious to prune out dead branches, although dead branches aren’t always easy to identify. They are brittle and small ones snap off when bent. They tend to have peeling bark or no bark at all. Old-dead branches are more obvious, and they may have already partially fallen. Scout for and remove large dead branches because they can damage houses, vehicles, and people. Pole saw blades with a hooked tip work well for pulling/breaking small dead branches from the tree. Always wear protective eyewear and a helmet when pruning overhead. If high branches require a chainsaw, consult an arborist. Limbing-up lower branches on established trees is a technique for allowing more sunlight to get to plants growing beneath. This can be done on large or medium trees to improve the performance of perennials, grasses, ferns, shrubs, and small flowering trees. You may need a pole saw to remove high branches. Always use very sharp saw blades to make the cut quick, easy, and safe. Keep in mind that branches that stray into walkways, parking areas, and buildings require removal. Branches rubbing on a building can cause significant damage to gutters, windows, shingles, and siding. Finally, there is branch thinning, when there are so many branches that the plant looks like a witch’s broom. Remember the tree in Harry Potter— the one Ron Weasley’s dad’s car fell into. That’s an extreme example of a densely branched tree. Water sprouts that emerge from plant stems and suckers come from the ground. These branches are usually small, numerous, and overly vigorous. They also make the plant look chaotic or lop-sided in winter, because too many branches can clutter and hide
MARCH 2022
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the main branching structure. Pruning sprouts away is like chiseling a piece of art from wood or stone. With each sprout and sucker pruned, the view to the beautiful branches inside comes into view. Seasoned pruners intentionally open up views (holes) to the main trunk so that it may be viewed even in summer, when fully leafed out. Prune small sprouts (under ½ inch in diameter) with sharp hand pruners. Larger branches require a hand saw or lopper. Overly dense branches are common on plants growing in full sun, especially on hawthorn, redbud, dogwood, and viburnum. When young, they require pruning for several years, before they simmer down. Usually after 7 to 10 years, water sprouts and suckers slow down significantly or entirely. At this point, plants are established and more mature. Speaking of which, I have been pruning, feeding, and watering my young one (his name is Milo) for fifteen years and he still requires much corrective pruning. My final word is that, like child-rearing, pruning requires much practice and patience. In the end, one hopes, it will result in a thing of beauty, resilience, and character. Happy pruning ya’ll.
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The Cornucopia Corner Your Veggie Garden Planting Calendar
A
By Steffie Littlefield
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quick trip to your local garden center to get up close and personal with the best seed selections for our area. Look for certified organic seeds, heirloom and local varieties for the best in healthy edibles. After you have filled your reusable shopping bag, go home and get organized. Sort your seeds between what to start now or later and what seeds are better planted directly into the garden. Then circle these dates on your calendar March 1st, March 15th, St Patrick’s Day, April Fool’s, May Day, Mother’s Day, June 15th and July 4th and Labor Day. Starting seeds indoors is relatively easy but knowing when and what to start indoors or out in the garden will help guarantee success. 123rf.com
fter the renewed interest in vegetable gardening and edible plants during 2020 and 2021, 2022 is the year to grow more heirloom and organic vegetables. Try colorful tomatoes to impress your friends, and harvest a variety of homegrown treats the whole family will enjoy. It is fun to see visitors marvel at the variety and decorative vegetables growing in the garden. So where to start and why start now? Because starting your own plants from seed indoors is cost saving and a large variety of seeds is easier to buy than to find as starter plants.
March 1st. Start your cool season crops asap, i.e., now. These are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, spinach, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, onions & Swiss chard. Be adventurous and get that purple cabbage, orange cauliflower, Italian sprouting broccoli, dinosaur kale and bright flame colored swiss chard. These should be started indoors under grow-lights with good air circulation. Be stingy with your seeds and only put 2-3 per cell or peat pellet, then you won’t have to thin them. Keep them evenly moist under a clear cover until they sprout and mist with a spray bottle of water. Heat mats are very helpful, and use a ½ strength liquid fertilizer after the second leaves are showing.
March 15th. Pepper seedlings are particularly slow to grow and mature so you can start them early and grow them on in small pots until its warm enough to transplant out in the garden. But wait and start your other warm season vegetables until mid to late March. Steffie Littlefield is a St Louis area horticulturist and garden designer. She has degrees from St. Louis Community College at Meramec and Southeast Missouri State and is a member of Gateway Professional Horticultural Association, Missouri Botanical Garden Members Board and past president of the Horticulture Co-op of Metropolitan St. Louis. She is part-owner of Edg-Clif Winery, Potosi, MO. www.EdgClif.com, and teaches a class on viticulture at SLCC-Meramec.
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This would include tomatoes, lettuces, tomatillos, eggplant, & okra. Choose these like you do your new summer wardrobe, check the magazines, go for a new look, but with good taste. Some occasions call for mini tomatoes or hotter peppers and sometimes you want a full-size, traditional red. There’s picnic styles and large buffet platters to fill with multicolored slices. There’s peppers and eggplant for the BBQ grill and others to generously stuff and bake or roast and puree. Let your creative side have some fun and you will be delighted all summer long.
Now, while these fruit bearers are gathering their energy to sprout lets get out in the garden and play in the dirt. St. Patrick’s Day is my traditional day to pay homage to those great vegetable gardeners in my family tree that fed their families from little beds around their cottages. While the earth is moist and the sun begins to warm the soil, but the nights are cool, it’s the perfect time to sow peas, beets, spinach, carrots, Italian bulb fennel, Malabar spinach to run up a trellis, parsnips, turnips, radishes & arugula seeds. I do have some tricks to share; soak your beet seeds in water for 1-2 hours before sowing. Use a legume inoculant on peas and later beans before laying in the trench. Pour the tiny lettuce or radish seeds on an index card folded in half and flick off the individual seeds with a toothpick to control the density of the planting and seed spacing. This is also a good time to plant potatoes (not sweet potatoes, wait for warm temperatures), onion sets, shallots, and other perennial crops like horseradish and asparagus. Then by April Fool’s Day you should start to harden off and transplant those cool season crops outdoors as well. May Day. While you are hardening off your last seedling plants by giving them some limited outdoor sun exposure, get ready for the big crops. Mother’s Day finish up planting seeds in the garden. Plant your beans—bush or climbing, green, purple, yellow, spotted or streaked. Try those pretty corn varieties, but always plant them in a block pattern to ensure cross pollination or the ears won’t form. Devote some big spaces to squashes—summer and winter, melons & watermelons. Then find a fence and grow cucumbers up in the air. June 15th, after everything else is planted it’s time to start sweet potatoes from slips. Finally before July 4th, in the back of the garden plant some pumpkins. Don’t worry they will find their way to the front!!!
So, what happens next, well I hope you have been enjoying a bountiful harvest but don’t stop now. You can get those extra cool season plant seeds out and start those plants inside after the 4th of July, in the air conditioning, so they are ready to plant about Labor Day! Cheers!
Dig Deeper.
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What’s New in Roses for 2022 by Diane Brueckman
‘Blushing Drift’
T
he beautiful seed and rose catalogues have been a comfort as I sit by the warm fire and dream of spring. The extreme cold in January could have damaged or killed unprotected roses. Fortunately, my roses were well covered but a few plants that were weak may not survive. So, I study the new roses being offered this year. One thing I noticed most are classed as shrubs, which is not to say they are not beautiful. Trends in roses are toward bushier, fuller plants with lots of flowers and fragrance. Best of all, disease resistance is also easier to find in the new offerings. Looking for disease resistance begins with research. Check out the
‘Celestial Night’ 16
‘Easy on the Eyes’
ARTS (American Rose Trials for Sustainability) winners. If you go to their website, you will find a list of about 50 roses that have won the award. Almost all modern classes of roses are represented on the list. Another award to look for is AGRS (American Garden Rose Selections). This award is given to roses regionally. The country is divided into four regions each rose is rated in each region. Select the rose that is best for your region. They also have a fragrance award.
There are four AGRS winners for 2022. The first is ‘Celestial
‘Pink Freedom’
‘Pretty Polly Pink’
The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2022
The color is strong yellow suffused with orange which shows beautifully against the dark green foliage. It only has a slight fragrance.
Check your local nurseries for roses. If you order your roses from a mail-order company, check to see if the plants are bare-root or in a container. Bare-root roses must be planted before May 1st for the best ‘Chantilly ‘Forever success. A container plant very Cream’ Amber’ likely will be small but it can be planted anytime. Look for mailNight’ a floribunda won in three regions and was honored for order companies with a good fragrance. I might add that I grow this deep mauve rose and love it. reputation. Second is ‘Easy on the Eyes’, a shrub that won in all four regions Photo credits: plus the fragrance award. This pink blend with a deep mauve eye ‘Celestial Night’, ‘Easy on the is also the winner of the ARTS award. ‘Pink Freedom’, a medium Eyes’, ‘Pink Freedom’, and pink shrub won in all four regions. The fourth winner ‘Pretty Polly ‘Pretty Polly Pink’ courtesy Pink’ is a polyantha shrub by Dr. David Zlesak. The blooms are American Garden Rose sprays of tiny deep pink blossoms. Selections. ‘Chantilly Cream’ Weeks Roses is introducing five new roses. I have selected two and Forever Amber’ courtesy I thought would be of greatest interest. The first is a Hybrid Tea, Weeks Roses. ‘Fiesta Veranda’, ‘Chantilly Cream’ that is listed as disease resistant and has a strong ‘Pink Sunblaze’ and ‘Ruby fragrance of strong citrus and other fruits. This soft yellow rose Red’ courtesy Star® Roses and has moderately long stems for cutting. This rose would be a good Plants. choice for lovers of the traditional hybrid tea form. ‘Forever Amber’, another Weeks introduction, is a floribunda with English style apricot color blooms. The large floribunda blooms stay vibrant in the summer heat. The moderately fragrant blooms are good for cutting. Star® Roses and Plants is introducing four new roses. One is a new addition to the Drift® Rose series. ‘Blushing Drift’ promises to be equal to all the other drift roses in landscape value. The second rose is ‘Pink Sunblaze’. ‘Pink Sunblaze’ is more disease resistant than other miniature roses. It is vigorous and suitable for containers. ‘Ruby Red’ is a shrub that performs well on its own roots and is very floriferous. The fourth introduction from Star, ‘Fiesta Veranda’ is my favorite of the four. The Veranda Series from Kordes is healthy, vigorous and I would expect this new addition to the series to be the same.
‘Fiesta Veranda’
‘Pink Sunblaze’
‘Ruby Red’
Diane Brueckman is a retired rosarian with Missouri Botanical Garden, and currently owns Rosey Acres in Baldwin, Illinois. You can reach her at (618) 785-3011 or droseyacres@ egyptian.net.
NEED A SPEAKER for your Garden Club or Group? Master Gardener Speakers Bureau volunteers are available to speak to garden clubs, church, civic and other groups. Choose from 53 programs, including A Dark Side to Winter Damage, Backyard Composting, Soil Preparation, Daylilies, Orchids, and more. Explore the complete list of topics at www.stlmg.org. Look for the Speakers Bureau tab in the top margin. (A $50 fee funds Master Gardener programming in our community.)
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Therapeutic Horticulture by Jeanne Carbone
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“I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.”—John Burroughs
he healing power of nature has never been more in the forefront than during these past two years of living with the pandemic. We have been encouraged to spend time outdoors, connecting with nature to improve mental health, well-being, and reduce the stress of these times. In the work of Therapeutic Horticulture, we recognize the benefits of spending time engaged with nature, which motivates our interaction with people.
Therapeutic Horticulture activity.
In the midst of the pandemic, a series of short videos was created for healthcare workers, to provide a reprieve from the demands of their days. The videos correlate to the “Journey to Well-being” walks, enabling anyone to enjoy a virtual Journey. Follow this link to the video playlist: https://tinyurl.com/ fs773bsc. The TH team has created a number of experiences for anyone Therapeutic Horticulture is the to explore in the Adult Education practice of improving an individual’s class offerings at MBG. “Walk with well-being by deepening their a Purpose” is designed to encourage connection to nature. The means participants to slow their pace, pay to achieve this are as varied as the attention to the nuances of nature and interests and desires of the participant. discover a deeper connection through At the Missouri Botanical Garden, simple exercises that can be adapted the Therapeutic Horticulture team to any natural setting. The Journey to explores well-being through a wide Well-being is an intentional walking range of activities and experience. program utilizing the beauty and Partnerships with organizations such peace of the Japanese Garden for as Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge personal introspection and a calming Hospital, Siteman Cancer Centers, experience. Creating a Sensory senior residential facilities across the community, and various social Garden and Therapeutic Gardening will take your gardening service agencies enable us to reach a wide range of people, of all ages interest to a deeper level by reminding the gardener to be mindful and ability levels. The TH team is also excited to be partnering with of the work and the connection to the earth that gardening can St. Louis County Library and Tower Grove Park in the upcoming create. months, bringing a connection to nature to the community. Check Therapeutic Horticulture has a place in anyone’s life and we out their websites in the spring for more information. The common encourage you to pursue offerings @https://tinyurl.com/mr49bwkc factor in all of these organizations is the benefit Therapeutic Horticulture Therapy Awareness Week is March Horticulture activities 13-19th. Visit the Garden on Wednesday, can bring to the people Thursday or Friday and meet the TH team, share served. your thoughts on well-being and engage in a What is it that draws our attention in nature? Imagine exploring a favorite herb, paying particular attention to the details of the leaf, noticing the structure and texture and scent evoked as you rub the leaf. The herb could be used as part of a flower arrangement or planted in a sensory garden for enjoyment all summer long. Taking the time for sensory exploration is a simple exercise that can be part of everyday life or the focus of a 18
sensory activity to take home.
Jeanne Carbone is the Supervisor of Therapeutic Horticulture at the Missouri Botanical Garden. She has a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on Outdoor Education, and holds a certificate in Horticulture Therapy from Chicago Botanic Garden. She has been involved in this work for 10 years.
The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2022
Gardening with Children by Valerie Scolarici
You Are What You Eat
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Composting in the Garden
hat if the nutrients we got from our garden, could be put back in, only for us to grow more? Composting is just that. Kitchen clippings like eggshells, coffee grounds, corks, shredded paper and cardboard, peels, skins, pits, seeds, and over ripe fruits and vegetables deposit goodness back into your garden. As a mother of four, I measure our family’s nutrition on what lies in the bucket of our compost pail. After all, you are what you eat. As you will find with most things, when you compost on
a smaller scale, your margin for error is more forgiving. Which means a family of three throwing out a pail of compost daily into a garden will be effortless. However, to achieve a surplus of compost, one needs to speed up this natural process and understand the principles. The key to composting is understanding the roles of carbon and nitrogen. For simplicity, we call carbon “brown” and nitrogen “green”, and roughly 3-4 parts brown to 1 part green is ideal for quickest results, but don’t fret over it. Add both and you’ll get compost.
Practice identifying the carbon and nitrogen in your compost pail. “Brown” compost material is usuall dry, like a stick or some straw, and is often brown in color. “Green” material is often moist or wet, recently growing, and sometimes green, though not always, like grass clippings or veggies. Ready to play? First, draw a line from the word to the object it describes. Then, circle the object with a brown crayon if you think it’s a carbon (brown), and use a green crayon if you think it’s a nitrogen (green). (You will notice that there is no room in a compost bin for meats, oils and butters, or animal biproducts. ) I’ll do the first one for you! (Answers on page 21.)
CARDBOARD BOX
BLUEBERRIES
PEANUT SHELL
CHERRIES
GRAPES
PAPER BIRD
PINE NEEDLES
TREE BRANCHES
PAPER BAG
ONION
TREE LEAF
APPLE CORE
TEA BAG
WATERMELON
Valerie Scolarici has a horticulture degree from Southwestern Illinois College, is a mother of four and lives on a five-acre hobby farm with her husband. There they care for a goat, two potbelly pigs, a rabbit, a wheelbarrow of chickens, a few farm cats, and a dog. She says she finds herself happiest when her hands are dirty.
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Dig This!
Gateway Gardeners and Businesses in the News Gateway Greening is Now Seed St. Louis
network of over 250+ community gardens, school gardens, and urban orchards, through which they believe that by educating and empowering individuals through urban agriculture, they can help connect people to the land, to their food, and to each other. In addition to the name change, Seed St. Louis has a new have a new strategic plan, and updated mission, vision, and purpose statements they say better define the organization’s work.
Gateway Greening announced last fall that several big changes have come to the organization, including a name change to Seed St. Louis, and a move of their headquarters. The organization was founded in 1984 as Gateway to Gardeners Association by a group of dedicated volunteers who wished to see vacant lots in St. Louis City turned into productive and beautiful spaces. From there it grew as community gardens and school gardens multiplied and spread throughout the region. In 1998, the name and logo changed to Gateway Greening to reflect the growth of the organization and an expansion of its mission to include urban orchards and a land trust for future preservation. Now in 2021, the new name once again serves to clarify “our role in the community” says CEO Matt Schindler. “We wish to provide that seed for individuals to grow their own food. I am proud of our history supporting sustainable communityled gardens and orchards, and look forward to Seed St. Louis reaching more people and more communities throughout our region.” As Seed St. Louis, the group looks forward to the future as it continues to support a growing 20
They are also moving offices and operations to a new location at the Delmar Divine. There, they plan to build a new demonstration garden, create unique educational opportunities, and expand operational facilities. The previous Bell Garden Demonstration Garden will be taken over by Belle Community Garden, which is part of the Seed St. Louis network, and has shared the agricultural space with Gateway Greening, now Seed St. Louis, for over 35 years.
Conservation Award Presented The Deer Creek Watershed A l l i a n c e announced last fall that Rick and Lotsie Holton, longtime Missouri B o t a n i c a l G a r d e n supporters and friends, were recently Lotsie and Rick Holton presented with the Missouri Legacy Conservation Award for their exemplary lifelong leadership, philanthropy, commitment, and service to the conservation cause in Missouri. This special award was given to them at the 6th Annual National Lewis & Clark Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation Awards Banquet at the Millbottom in Jefferson City. The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2022
Dig This!
Gateway Gardeners and Businesses in the News The Deer Creek Watershed Alliance, a project of Missouri Botanical Garden, started in 2008 with a small, but ever committed team of citizen volunteers who wanted to make a difference in their community and creek. Rick Holton was one of these founding citizen members of the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance Steering Committee that helped spark these efforts to improve water quality in Deer Creek over 13 years ago, and he remains the Chairman of this group today.
New Book for Local Native Plant Lovers
chores the gardener may need to attend to to get the most enjoyment and success from their native plants, the beauty they provide, and the wildlife they support. The planner includes tips, suggestions, plant lists, and observations, plus Besa’s illustrations to support the copy, and blank spaces where readers can keep their own notes, illustrations or photos. Besa finds much to do, observe and ponder in every month, and each season receives an equitable amount of space, whether it’s seemingly dormant months of January and February to the bustling seasons spring through fall. Besa has aimed the book at beginning and intermediate gardeners, but even experienced gardeners will find delight as they read along from month to month. Best of all, the information is specific to our local region, growing conditions and plants native to this area. That she can find as much to write about in deep winter as in the growing season is testament to her observation skills inherent since childhood and honed through more than 20 years working with native plants, including 13 years working at Shaw Nature Reserve. Since 2016, Besa has been working as a native garden consultant for homeowners and schools, and also volunteers with organizations including Wild Ones, Bring Conservation Home (St. Louis Audubon Society), Missouri Master Naturalists, and other conservation-minded groups. The book is available for $15 ($20 if you want it mailed) from her website, besaschweitzer. wixsite.com/growswild/book. Answers to Composting Quiz on Page 19:
Besa Schweitzer, a local native plant specialist, has put together a new garden planner for native plant enthusiasts. The Wildflower Garden Planner is a month-by-month guide to what is going on in a native garden and what MARCH 2022
The Gateway Gardener™
Browns: cardboard box, peanut shell, pine needles, paper bag, dead tree leaf, paper bird, tree branches. Greens: cherries, apple core, onion, watermelon, grapes and blueberries. Tea bags are both, as the tea itself is a green, but the paper in the bag and label are browns. So you were right, whichever you chose! We’ll also count tree leaves as nitrogren if they’re green. Congratulations!
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Upcoming Events Room at N. O. Nelson Campus of Lewis and Clark Community College, 600 Troy Road, Edwardsville, IL 62025. (At deadline, it was still to be determined if this event will be virtual or in person. For the latest and to register, go to moprairie.or/event/ native-by-design/.) Updates to this information are often posted on our online events calendar at GatewayGardener.com, so check there for the latest details. Give us the details of your upcoming gardening, lawn or landscaping event and we’ll add it to our website and include it in our next issue. Deadline for printing in May issue is April 1st. How to reach us: Mail: PO Box 220853 St. Louis, MO 63122 Email: info@gatewaygardener.com March 1st-5th 13th Annual Community Agriculture Conference. Virtual sessions March 1-4, 6-7pm. Held via Zoom. Tuesday is Working with Wildlife, with St. Louis Audubon Coordinator Dan Pearson. Wednesday is Seed Starting Basics for a Homegrown Harvest, by Jessica Blessing-Patterson of DIG Annual and Perennials. Thursday presents Getting Produce to Those Who Need it Most, by Janett Lewis, Rustic Roots Sanctuary and GROW Spanish Lake Community Garden. Friday is Propagating Shrubs & Trees, again by Blessing-Patterson. Saturdays sessions are both in-person and virtual and feature several sessions from from 8:40 through 12:30. For more information and to register for virtual or in-person classes, find the link at SeedStL.org/events-classes. March 4th 8am-12pm—Native by Design: Successful Gardens for Pollinators and People. Enjoy Keynote speakers Nadia Navarrete-Tindall and James Faupel talking about how you can integrate your native garden into your community with the use of edibles and other ecosystem supporting strategies as well as how to measure the long term success of your garden. The workshop will also feature presentations from other local and regional speakers. The Leclaire
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March 5th 9am-1pm—2022 Virtual Weekend Gardener. University of Illinois Extension is offering a FREE (Donations accepted) day of gardening topic talks in a relaxing virtual format. You can attend any or all of the virtual sessions. Classes start on the hour from 9amnoon, including Making Homes more Pollinator Friendly, Extending Your Harvest, Container Gardening with Fruit, and Beyond Flowers for Color in the Garden. Sessions include downloadable handouts. To register visit: go.illinois.edu/ WeekendGardener. For questions email ruth1@ illinois.edu or call (618) 939-3434. University of Illinois Extension offers equal opportunities in programs and employment. Advance registration by Feb. 28th is required. March 9th 8am-4pm--Gateway Green Industry Conference. Featuring 6 breakout sessions, with topics ranging from Emerald Ash Borer, Urban Tree Diversity, Invasive Pest Threats, Ecology and the Built Environment, and Understanding Herbicide Damage to Trees, to Prescribed Fires, Tree Pruning, Xeriscaping, Pollinators, Rain Gardens and more. Continuing Education Units will be available for certified arborists, landscape architects, golf course professionals and IL Park and Rec employees. Cost for the entire session is $80, with discounted rates for certified master gardeners and master naturalists. Registration is due by March 1, and can be completed at https://go.illinois.edu/2022GGIC. No lunch or trade show this year. Gateway Center, One Gateway Dr. Collinsville. March 10 3pm—Virtual Program: Let It Be An Oak, Keynote. Author and Speaker Doug Tallamy discusses th
what plants to add to our properties to improve ecological integrity, focusing on oaks and their many ecological and aesthetic attributes. Presented by Partners for Native Landscaping and coordinated through St. Louis County Library’s Adult Programming. Registration required. For more details of the talks and for registration links, go to partnersfornativelandscaping.org. A Virtual Class: How to Plan Your Backyard Vegetable Garden. Presented by Seed St. Louis (formerly Gateway Greening) in partnership with St. Louis County Library. Looking to put in a new backyard vegetable garden or just adding to your exiting one? This class will cover the best practices in design and spacing. Adults. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. Go to partnersfornativelandscaping.org for more information or to register. 6pm—A Virtual Class: Spring Crops and Planning Your Growing Space. Presented by Seed St. Louis (formerly Gateway Greening). Director of Education Dean Gunderson will cover how to prepare your garden for the growing season and how to create a plan to keep your garden producing all year. Learn the best crops and techniques for springtime in St. Louis and how to keep your vegetables healthy. https:// www.facebook.com/SeedStLouis/ events/. March 13th-19th Horticulture Therapy Week. Visit with members of the Therapeutic Horticulture team at Missouri Botanical Garden on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Share your thoughts on well-being and engage in a sensory activity to take home. Missouri Botanical Garden. March 15th 2pm—Virtual Program: A 3-year Suburban Landscape Makeover. Presented by Partners for Native Landscaping and coordinated through St. Louis County Library’s Adult Programming. Dave Tylka Co-Founder of STL Audubon’s Bring Conservation Home Program explains the approach, process and
results of transforming his typical suburban home landscape with nonnatives into biodiverse prairie, glade and forest habitat beds over a 3-year period. Adults and teens. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. Go to partnersfornativelandscaping.org for more information or to register. March 16th 7pm—Virtual Program: Life in the Soil. Presented by Partners for Native Landscaping and coordinated through St. Louis County Library’s Adult Programming. Jerry Pence, St. Louis Community College, discusses learning how to know what is going on underground before you plant. Knowing your soil can play a big role in helping you select the proper plants and have great success with them. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. Go to partnersfornativelandscaping. org for more information or to register. March 19th 1:00-5:30pm--Wildwood Lawn and Garden Summit. Handson demonstrations and info from Wildwood gardening businesses and groups. FREE. Wildwood Town Center. More info at CityofWildwood. com March 22nd 2pm—Virtual Program: Native Plant Gardens Bring Pollinators. Presented by Partners for Native Landscaping and coordinated through St. Louis County Library’s Adult Programming. Nina Fogel and Jenny Mullikin of the Billiken Bee Lab at St. Louis University give an overview of how native plants enhance pollinator diversity and abundance in urban gardens. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. Go to partnersfornativelandscaping. org for more information or to register. March 23rd 7pm—Virtual Program: Investing in Native Trees and Shrubs. Presented by Partners for Native Landscaping and coordinated
The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2022
through St. Louis County Library’s Adult Programming. Meridith McAvoy Perkins of Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, discusses native tree species that support common landscape goals, how to plant for success, and provide stewardship tips to keep your trees growing strong. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. Go to partnersfornativelandscaping. org for more information or to register.
yards and community spaces. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. Go to partnersfornativelandscaping. org for more information or to register.
April 6th 7pm—Virtual Program: Gardening for Backyard Wildlife. Presented by Partners for Native Landscaping and coordinated through St. Louis County Library’s Adult Programming. Erin Shank, Missouri Department of Conservation, explores how small yards in urban and suburban environments can offer
important habitats for wildlife from migratory songbirds to subterranean invertebrates. Learn how to support biodiversity in your backyard. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. Go to partnersfornativelandscaping. org for more information or to register.
March 29th 2pm—Virtual Program: Garden Maintenance for Wildlife: A New Way to Garden. Presented by Partners for Native Landscaping and coordinated through St. Louis County Library’s Adult Programming. Scott Woodbury, Shaw Nature Reserve, describes how to maximize plant and wildlife diversity in your yard, while still having time to enjoy it. Learn about different landscape styes and the latest maintenance practices that promote pollinators and song birds. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. Go to partnersfornativelandscaping. org for more information or to register. March 30th 7pm—Virtual Program: Rainscaping with Native Plants. Presented by Partners for Native Landscaping and coordinated through St. Louis County Library’s Adult Programming. Rob Kennedy, Sustainability Programs Manager at Missouri Botanical Garden, discusses rain garden and rainscaping basics as described in the Missouri Botanical Garden Rainscaping Guide. Also learn about funding opportunities such as the MSD Rainscaping Small Grants Program. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. Go to partnersfornativelandscaping.org for more information or to register.
A 3-Year Suburban Landscape Makeover
These VIRTUAL programs are FREE, but advance registration is required. For more details:
www.partnersfornativelandscaping.org
April 5th 2pm—Virtual Program: Homegrown National Park. Presented by Partners for Native Landscaping and coordinated through St. Louis County Library’s Adult Programming. Jean Ponzi, EarthWays Center of Missouri Botanical Garden, explores the potential of creating a cumulative “national park” by improving the nature-rich qualities of individual
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