Prickly Ash Tree

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(Xanthoxylum clava-herculis L. or Xanthoxylum americanum or Xanthoxylum hirsutum)

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Another unusual tree at Bartram’s Garden and one I have never seen before is the Prickly Ash.

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Sometimes called the toothache tree, we were told the leaves have a numbing effect and were used by Native Americans for toothache pain. This thorny, small tree is a member of the citrus family and is sometimes used as a natural fence.

The lumpy bark is quite distinctive. I can see why it is also called “Hercules Club”

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More information through Google books from Mississippi State University Extension here.

The Franklin Tree

Franklinia alatamaha

Discovered in 1765 by John and William Bartram growing near the Altamaha River in southeast Georgia, this understory tree was named for John’s good friend Benjamin Franklin. The Bartram’s saved it from total extinction. It is extinct in the wild. Bartram’s Gardens in Philadelphia has several specimens (pictured here) of this rare tree.

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Grown for its late summer, fragrant camellia-like flowers and brilliant red-orange fall color, Franklinia requires even moisture, slightly acid, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, and full sun to part shade.

I have heard from other gardeners that Franklinia is difficult to get started. The Franklin tree has a reputation as a fussy tree. Some say the northern winter’s freeze/thaw cycle adds to the difficulty.

Here, in its third year, a Franklin tree is planted in the Miller’s House Garden by the Bethlehem Garden Club in Historic Bethlehem’s Industrial Quarter.

It grew to about 4’ last year but died back for the second time. This year it is starting out again. All 6” of it is nestled in its wire cage under a blanket of pine needles. It would be wonderful to have this specimen tree in a public garden for all to enjoy. Time will tell.

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More information from Virginia Cooperative Extension .

Graver Arboretum

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I visited Graver Arboretum for Arbor Day tree dedication. It is a gorgeous natural resource on 63 acres north of Bath, PA.

Dr. Lee and Virginia Graver donated the arboretum to Muhlenberg College in 1994. Today it is used as a field station for biology and environmental studies classes and research. It is open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours. Tours can be arranged.

Collections of conifers, wetland plants, wild flowers and rhododendrons thrive along the paths. Here are a few of the plants and sights at Graver.

Skunk cabbage in a damp, wooded area.

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Jack in the pulpit.

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Trillium sessile, a toadshade.

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One of many ponds and vernal pools.

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Foot bridge on the road less traveled by.


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According to Graver’s Facebook page, the rhododendrons are coming into bloom. Graver Arboretum is a meticulously maintained local natural resource. I plan to walk its paths again.

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Dutchman's Breeches

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Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)


The dark green, feathery foliage is a delicate counterpoint to the small white flower. This pretty little plant has a fascinating story.

Dutchman’s Breeches were named because the flower looks like an upside down pair of baggy pants.

The seeds are spread by ants. From what I understand the seeds are taken back to the ant’s nest. The outside of the seed is eaten or fed to the ant’s larvae. The seed is then discarded to grow another plant.

This plant is said to have medicinal properties. Native Americans were purported to use it to treat skin and blood conditions as well as syphilis.

Lore says that it was used as a love charm. A man chewed the roots and breathed on his intended paramour. The fragrance of his breath caused her to follow his lead, even against her will.

I love a good plant story.

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Rain Garden - Part 2

(Picture Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, New Zealand)
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Is it worth the effort to put in a rain garden?

According to Rutgers Research & Extension Fact Sheet, one rain garden in New Jersey receiving run off from 1,000 square feet could treat about 25,000 gallons of water per year. I think that alone makes rain gardens worth considering. If you multiply by any number of rain gardens, it adds up fast.

How difficult is it?

After checking for underground utilities (“PA One Call” dial 811) and figuring the size garden, the rest is manual labor. Detailed instructions are available from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/University of Wisconsin Extension.

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If you can convince a few friends to lend a hand, your only costs may be for mulch and plants (and perhaps a few cases of beer). Maintenance includes watering the first year, weeding and adding mulch when necessary. As the garden fills in, the need for weeding should be reduced. Pruning and trimming will take a little time in spring and fall. If all goes well, maintenance should take less time than mowing the area.

All proponents recommend using native plants. Most native plants grow well in the wet/dry conditions of the rain garden. Also an attractive mix of native plants is more likely to be pest and disease resistant. Natives can also provide habitats for beneficial insects, food for birds and butterflies and add biodiversity in the landscape. You can contact your local extension service for a list of natives for your area suited to rain gardens.

Recent rapid growth in the Lehigh Valley has caused basements and roads to flood. I can’t imagine how it is affecting our streams.

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Rain gardens are being installed as a solution around the world. Google "rain gardens parking lots” for an extensive list.

Whether or not you think a rain garden is for you, encourage municipalities to promote rain gardens in new construction to lessen the impact of urban development.

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Rain Garden

(Illustration USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service)

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Several weeks ago I attended a Master Gardener presentation on rain gardens. Rain Gardens seem like a good way to help control stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff carries with it fertilizers, pesticides, bacteria from pet waste, eroded soil, road salt, grass clippings and litter. The runoff ends up in streams and lakes. A rain garden can be as simple or as complex as you have the energy and resources to invest.

If you want to read a scary story about pollution of the Chesapeake Bay read the US Geological Survey about pollution and what is being done about it.

One of the top three causes for pollution of the bay is water runoff from urban areas.

Rain Garden Network lists the benefits of a rain garden.

“Basically, rain gardens are an inexpensive, simple to implement and environmentally sound solution to urban stormwater runoff. A Rain Garden will:

Filter runoff pollution
Recharge local groundwater
Conserve water
Improve water quality
Protect rivers and streams
Remove standing water in your yard
Reduce mosquito breeding
Increase beneficial insects that eliminate pest insects
Reduce potential of home flooding
Create habitat for birds & butterflies
Survive drought seasons
Reduce garden maintenance
Enhance sidewalk appeal
Increase garden enjoyment”

I’ll continue with more information on rain gardens in my next post.

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Eco-gardening

(I apologize – the sidebar “About Me”, “Previous Posts” and “Archives” has moved to the bottom of this blog. I’ve been trying to figure out how to get it back to the top. I haven’t been able to get an answer from Blog Spot. If anyone out there has the answer, please let me know.)
Eco-gardening

Eco-gardening, sustainable landscape, xeriscape, organic gardening, native plants, bio-diversity – words that elicit strong opinions but are not easy to define. There is controversy at every turn. Experts don’t agree on what organic means. How much organic fertilizer is too much?

Brian Higgins review of Jeff Gillman’s recent book Truth about Organic Gardening http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/20/AR2008022000952.html

‘”…if you are simply replacing synthetic products with organic ones, you are missing the point. The aim is to reduce the need for fertilizers and, especially, pesticides. How do you do that?
You build the soil with correct amounts of compost and mulch, choose plants that do well and place them in their optimum locations. These are the true parts of organic gardening," says Gillman, a professor of horticultural science at the University of Minnesota.’

Here’s a British article on Eco-gardening:
http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/article1289066.ecerticle1289066.ece The comments are especially enlightening and outline some of the problems and differences of opinion with sustainable landscaping. The controversies, large and small, are not exclusive to England.

As we all try to be eco-friendly, it’s not easy to follow the many differing viewpoints. And some experts are very opinionated.

Doug Green’s Gardening Blog February 24 “Gardening as a Religion” illustrates just how opinionated some gardeners can be http://blog.douggreensgarden.com/

‘“…I see this extreme attitude in individuals in a huge variety of gardening groups. From the native “plant nazi’s” (yes, that’s how they’re referred to in the trade) who reject any plant that isn’t “native”. (whatever that is)…’

Native plants are good, right? IPM Choosing Healthy Landscapes http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uj238.pdf has tips for choosing plants well adapted to your site.

“Sometimes, exotic plants are more resistant to pests than are their native relatives. For example, Cornus kousa, an exotic dogwood that was introduced from the Far East, is less susceptible to infestation by the dogwood borer than is Cornus florida, the flowering dogwood, one of our native species.”

I chose the Cornis florida for my garden because I think it’s prettier. Even if it may be shorter lived, the squirrels continue to plant replacements. That’s sustainable enough for me.

Marianne Ophardt Master Gardener, Central Washington Editor, Extension Area Educator, Washington State University recommends trying some unusual weeping trees. ‘. . . the discriminating gardener that “takes the road less traveled” should consider some less familiar, more unusual weeping specimens.’ Well, who wouldn’t want to be known as a “discriminating gardener”?

Rhododendron is an acid soil loving plant. Does it have a place in our limestone soil gardens? . Do we need to add Holly Tone or Mir-Acid? Is that sustainable? New construction changes the natural soil. Most experts seem to agree that soil testing is a good idea. (See September 29, 2007 post)

Bee Colony collapse, white nose syndrome in bats, fish abnormalities, frog and toad deaths, air pollution, water pollution, carbon footprint – we all want to do the right thing. The problem - what is the right thing to do?

Here’s my starter list:
- Don’t spray indiscriminately
- Don’t fertilize indiscriminately
- Read and follow all label directions

Most important
- Make compost
- Use mulch
- Do the research
- Be patient