Each Little World

Snowy Saturday

Mark captured our fairly typical early April weather this morning while I was off attending the all-day symposium put on by Allen Centennial Garden. The subject was the Art of the Garden but was much more broad ranging than that might suggest. Every speaker was excellent as was the food and the company. The perfect way to spend a cold and snowy day. The sun came out eventually and I am totally energized from all the ideas and images presented to us — despite the fact that the temp is still below freezing in late afternoon.

Bad news any way you look at it

The Spring 2016 issue of Olbrich Botanical Gardens' newsletter arrived at the end of last week. It contained a short but very disturbing article. Olbrich is suspending their annual leaf mulch sale. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is recommending that leaves not be spread throughout Dane County due to the possibility of spreading the invasive and highly destructive jumping worms (Amynthas app.), according to the newsletter.

Typically Olbrich gets massive amounts of local leaves helping the city keep them out of landfills. Olbrich turns them into wonderful mulch that I've been buying just about as long as they've been selling it. It is a great product and an important source of revenue for the gardens. Jumping worm cocoons have been found to survive the winter in Wisconsin and can be spread through soil, compost, and mulch (hardwood and leaf), according to the Olbrich web site.

Dane Country is at the western edge of the section of southeaster Wisconsin where the worm has been reported. They were discovered in the UW-Madison Arboretum in 2013. To find out more about the worm, what it looks like and what to do if you find it in your garden, visit the DNR website here. You can print out a jumping worm identification card and a brochure from the site.

A newly planted and mulched bed in 2010. 

The worms are long (a gardening friend measured one at 11 inches!), and slither and jump like snakes. "They change the soil by disrupting the natural decomposition of leaf litter on the forest floor. They turn good soil into grainy, dry worm castings (poop) that cannot support the understory plants of our forests. In residential and urban areas they can also harm ornamental plantings and turf," according to the DNR site. This is very serious stuff and besides, the worms are creepy. I have learned to live with many critters during the years I've gardened but snakes have never been one of them.

On the heels of that news came word that the West Side Garden Club will not be selling plants from member's gardens this year for the same reason: to avoid potentially spreading this invasive worm. They will sell the plants that they get from a commercial grower since those folks use sterile potting soil. This is a blow to gardeners as the West Side sale is one of the best in the area. All of my wonderful Primroses have come from there. Not only that, but the organization — like most local garden groups — donates the profits from their sale to public gardens like Obrich and Allen Centennial Garden to name just two. I've also talked to some members who say they will not buy any plants at local plant sales that come from area gardens because of this issue. 

The worm is a recent enough problem that there is not enough research to suggest any solutions at this point. Bad news any way you look at it and not the way any of us want to begin the gardening season. Makes all those big yellow x's marking the Ash trees to be removed in the onslaught of the emerald ash borer seem not so bad.

Mark dumping a load of Olbrich mulch in our driveway a number of years ago.

Fiber Friday: Gifts

I recently added two fiber purses, containers or what-you-will to my ongoing collection. This basket caught my eye as I walked past the door to the UW Arboretum's shop on my way to a class I was taking there this fall. I have a couple of these baskets in solid colors that I use to hold winter necessities. A navy blue basket holds hats while a teal basket contains scarves and gloves. I have a third one that is straw colored with black leather handles that I use as a summer purse. One friend uses hers as a market basket and another uses one to hold textile projects. This basket is so graphic in both form and pattern, that so far I am just displaying it as pure sculpture. The Arboretum's shop had a number of different and equally attractive baskets. 

A detail of the handle construction.

In situ.

World Bazaar on Madison's west side always has interesting items from around the world. Currently they have great Indian print curtains and wonderful Kantha carryalls. The bags are nice and roomy as you can see from the two funky photos of me holding one of these bags.

Both sides are composed of different fabric scraps. There is a snap closure at the top and a zippered compartment inside. Alas, can't find my receipts for either purchase at the moment, but I think they both were in the $30-$40 range.

Curtis Prairie ramble

Though we missed much of the late summer bloom, there was still much to see and enjoy as Mark and I spent an hour zigging and zagging over Curtis Prairie the other day. For those of you who are not local, Curtis Prairie — at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum in Madison — is the world's oldest restored prairie.

It covers 60 acres and some of the early work on it was done by the Civilan Conservation Corps during the late 1930s under the direction of Aldo Leopold and John Curtis. This is a tallgrass prairie and now is a perfect time to wander among the massive ranks of big bluestem.

The Jackson Oak was growing in this spot the early 1800s and for many years was the iconic symbol of the Arboretum. Though it died in the 1990s, its remant trunk and branches still serve as a visual marker to all of us who hike the prairie. Mark and I took a short woodsy detour just past the oak.

Heading out of the woods you can see the Visitor Center across the prairie.

The red in the background (below) is not a plant but a marker for a research project. Though area residents use the Arboretum like a park or public garden, it is really an ecological research area. 

Arboretum Native Gardening Conference Sept. 21

The UW–Madison Arboretum is presenting their highly respected Native Gardening Conference on Sunday, September 21. This year's theme is “Native by Design: Gardening for a Sustainable Future.” I've attended this event in the past as both a participant and a speaker and found it well-worth my time.

The conference is a day filled with demonstrations, workshops and tours for gardeners who want to use native plants in their home landscapes. Participants can choose from workshop sessions about native garden design, attracting native pollinators, native trees and shrubs, planting and maintenance, sustainable practices, invasive species management, plant disease, and wild edible landscaping. There will be information suitable for both urban and rural situations. I can attest from my experience that it is a great chance to meet and connect with fellow gardeners and go home with practical tips, information and inspiration.

A keynote address follows the sessions. I've heard some of the top names in the field speak at past conferences and found that part of the day to be worth the price of admission alone. This year's keynoter is Doug Tallamy and his topic is “Your Role in Building Biological Corridors: Networks for Life.”

Tallamy advocates for "sustaining regional biodiversity through native home landscaping, which can provide important habitat connectors", according to the Arboretum's press release. Tallamy is professor and chair of the Entomology and Wildlife Ecology Department, University of Delaware. Tallamy's latest book, "The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden," was co-authored by Rick Darke, a previous Arboretum Conference keynoter.

The all-day conference runs from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Advanced registration is required by Sept. 15, and lunch is included as part of the conference fee. For complete information and registration visit  uwarboretum.org/education/native_gardening_conference/

Al's Auto Body & Arboretum

Lately it seems like every garden event that Mark and I have participated in has happened on a cool day with rain threatening. The weather for the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society bus trip to Lake Geneva and Burlington, Wisconsin, last Sunday was no exception. 

If the weather wasn't perfect, our first stop of the day — Al's Auto Body and Arboretum in Walworth — was. If that name makes you shake your head in wonder, read on. 

Al Ritchey runs the only Arboretum/Botanical Garden outside of a municipality in Walworth County. Any public institution would be happy to have the magical landscape that Al and his father have created over the years. 

While Al was giving us the scoop on the Arboretum, Phil Broderick, the favorite bus driver for WHPS events, chatted with family, friends, and staff on hand for Al's annual Hosta Fest.

The scale of Al's Arboretum — actually more like Hosta heaven — is mind boggling. None of us really had any idea what to expect when we pulled up to the site. But once we started our tour, we were all agog.

Al grows more than 400 varieties of Hostas in a setting that is more garden than nursery. At the annual Fest, he typicall sells about 175 varieties. 

If you asked me before this trip, what I thought about Hostas, I would probably have admitted I'm ambivalent about them. Yes, I grow quite a few but I think of them as workhorses doing a job in the garden with a few favorites as specimens.

At Al's Arboretum, the Hostas were growing in undulating waves, in long lines and wide curves. Every size, color, marking, and leaf shape were represented and all of the plants were healthy and happy. I wanted to go home and start planting swaths of Hostas. 

Many pictures were taken.

Many questions were asked and answered.

Many of us had our eyes opened. With so many Hostas growing at full size, it was easy to see in person what the catalogs can't show no matter how good the photos.

Al mentioned that he does not purposely hybrize Hostas, but the amount and variety of plants he grows means that an interesting sport can appear on its own. He's got one or two that he hopes to market in the future. 

Given that the property houses both a body shop and an Arboretum there were lots of interesting non-plant things to see . . .

both functional . . .

unusual . . .

and artistic.

Al's is well-worth a visit if you are in the area. And I'm putting next year's Hosta Fest on my calendar. It takes place Memorial Day weekend and the following weekend.

Plant sales Friday and Saturday

OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS PLANT SALE WITH THE PROS

The "must" sale of the season with unusual plants and tons of advice and extras, including:

Inspiration Station: Bring photos of a blah garden area and the pros will sketch a basic design on the spot! Or ask the experts which plants will work best for your garden.

Pro Potting Bench: offers free container design and potting to help you jazz up any area of your garden.

Garden Art: Steel garden sculptures by Kirk Yazel.

There's also food from the Madison East Kiwanis Club brat wagon and music by local musicians while you shop! And I have to say that Olbrich's sale can be overwhelming with its wonderful assortment of plants, so all the assistance you get is a real plus — and at no extra cost.

TIME: Olbrich Members shop early on Friday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. General Public sale is on Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Olbrich is located at 3330 Atwood Ave. on Madison's east side.

A complete list of the plants that Olbrich will be selling can be found here, info on becoming a member is here and details about the group of "pros" is here.

WEST SIDE GARDEN CLUB SALE

One of my favorite sales of the year and the source of my wonderful candelabra primroses. Most plants are from members' gardens and are thus great performers. The sale benefits numerous local nature and garden organizations like Allen Centennial Garden and the Aldo Leopold Center.

Time: Friday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: 3918 Nakoma Road in Madison, just down the block from Thoreau School

FRIENDS OF THE ARBORETUM NATIVE PLANT SALE

The photo above is from the 2010 Arboretum Native Plant Sale when the weather was miserable. I'm hoping for better weather this weekend when so many groups are having their plant sales. 

The Arb's annuals sale offers hundreds of species of native plants. Members are reminded to bring their 10% off coupon from the April newsletter. Also bring your own boxes or carrying containers if possible. This event will include tools for purchase as well as answers to your native gardening questions.

TIME:  Saturday, May 7  from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

LOCATION: Under the tents near the Arboretum Visitor Center, 1207 Seminole Hwy. in Madison.  

Local notes

MADISON HERB SOCIETY

The Madison Herb Society is holding its 28th Annual Herb Fair Saturday, Nov. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison. Admission is free and the event includes talks, demonstrations, a chance to ask herb-related questions and to stock your herbal pantry. Dill is the group's "Herb of the Year" and they've produced a Dill Cookbook to celebrate its many uses. More detailed information is available here.

UW-MADISON ARBORETUM

On November 1, the UW-Madison Arboretum launched an interactive map that helps you plan visits, learn more about the Arb's ecology and history, and, ultimately, to contribute and share your own thoughts and images about the Arboretum with the larger community. For first time users of the map there is also a nice little audio visual tutorial to get you started.

MADISON AREA MASTER GARDENERS

The sixteenth edition of the MAMG Wisconsin Garden Journal focuses on a hot garden topic: ornamental and edible gardens. For the last few years I've been using this annual journal as my engagement calendar, garden advisor and as a place to make garden notations and reminders. It's full of helpful information and tips, all of it geared to our growing zones and graced with beautiful photos by local gardeners. The 2011 version is in stores now and also available by mail;  more details, including a list of local retailers selling the Journal, can be found here. 

Put it on your calendar now: The Madison Area Master Gardeners Association will host the 2011 State Master Gardeners Conference in Madison from Friday, Aug. 5 through Sunday, Aug. 7 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The theme is "Celebrating our Past, Cultivating our Future," in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Madison organization.

 

OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS

Olbrich is offering a gorgeous array of greeting cards for sale. There are 27 different and equally stunning images, snapped by staff and local photographers in all seasons and in a variety of locations both indoors and outside in the gardens. The cards come in boxes of 24, can be personalized or plain, and you can order a box of the same image on all cards or mixed groupings. Details can be found here.

Editor's note: I received a free copy of the MAMG Journal as a gift as part of a recent fall-gardening panel sponsored by the group. 

Fall in Madison: The UW Arboretum

The hidden benefit of house guests is that you almost always go exploring in your hometown — something most of us never get around to doing without the excuse of visitors. Mark — along with guest/friend/fellow gardener and blogger Julie Siegel — spent a recent Sunday afternoon exploring the UW-Madison Arboretum and the Jens Jensen-designed Glenway Children's Park, while I was working. 

These photos of the Arb give you a sense of what a wonderful natural area we have available to us right in the heart of the city. 

The photo below is the view in the opposite direction of the image above. It's right next to a high traffic roadway that has the saving grace of this historic house.

Much of the foliage in the Arboretum was showing subdued fall color, except for this always amazing Black Tupelo tree whose leaves turn a shining lipstick red.

Usually I am the person who takes plant notes while Mark shoots the photos. This time Mark and Julie were each taking pictures and having trouble locating identification tags. Thus I can't tell you exactly which Hydrangea this is — even though Julie crawled right inside of it in hopes of finding its name! 

The tree bark above is also unknown but the two images below are a Euonymus according to the tags Mark saw.

 

Public gardens: Today's their day

A friend who used to work at the Chicago Botanic Garden tells how crowds of people poured out of that city to the CBG in search of safety, sanity and serenity on September 11, 2001. As we've all learned in this post-9/11 world, security is a fragile commodity, but few places do a better job of providing serenity than public parks and gardens. They have the power to transform the way people feel about themselves and their cities. In many neighborhooods, they are what make the urban landscape livable. 

Friday, May 7th is the second annual National Public Gardens Day, an occasion devoted to reminding us of the important roles public gardens play in our lives. I will actually be volunteering today at one of my favorite public gardens, Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison. Today (and tomorrow) is Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros, just one of many ways that garden interacts with our community.

They — along with the UW-Madison Arboretum and the UW's Allen Centennial Garden — offer beautiful escapes from the stress of our everyday lives. And they are all free to the public. But they're much more than pretty faces; they also provide information through classes, demonstrations, workshops and their libraries and bookstores. They offers us inspiration for our own gardens, and show us the latest plants and "green" techniques in their display gardens — giant teaching labs open to all of us.

Mother's Day weekend is a wonderful occasion to visit your favorite public garden. And while you're there, be sure to tell the staff how much you appreciate their efforts. And if you are not already a member of the Friends organization of your local public gardens, join today. More than ever, these institutions need our financial support as well as our vocal support. 

Mark snapped these images at Olbrich on Wednesday after he finished his volunteer stint, helping to set up for the plant sale.