The buzz An exclusive for Society members Autumn 2019 - Bellevue Botanical ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
the buzz
An exclusive for Society members Autumn 2019
®
The BUZZ | Page
The Buzz | Page1 1
A profusion of dahlias. Photo by Daniel Sparler.
with a darker
yellow interior.
“The second was
a mid-season cul-
tivar and taller
than the early
season variety,”
continued Rich-
ie. A Darwin
hybrid tulip such
as ‘Golden Apel-
doorn’ continues
the primrose yel-
low color theme.
It’s Bulb Buying Time!
“And the last was
a late season cul-
tivar and the tall- Tulipa container mix. Photo by Richi
By Nita-Jo Rountree
est of the three.”
An example
Allium ‘Globemaster’. Photo by Nita-Jo Rountree.
would be a Tri-
A
umph tulip, ‘Strong Gold’, with a rich
s daylight hours shorten, borders fade, and first yellow color and strong stems.
frosts threaten, new hope arrives as our garden “The second idea” said Richie,
centers and mailboxes fill with eye-popping, color- “came from a visit to Filoli,” (a 654-
ful photos of spring blooming bulbs. But what to acre estate near Woodside, California).
buy and where to plant? “They planted tulips in small, easy to
Sequential planting will extend the bulbous show, so you’ll move containers, mostly twelve- to fif-
find that the chart below, beautifully drawn by BBGS co-pres- teen-inch terracotta pots,” he says. “As
ident Anne Dziok, will help you set the stage for a long season a rule of thumb, for every inch of pot,
of bloom. one bulb was planted (give or take),
Early-blooming species tulips return reliably every year, but so for a twelve-inch pot, twelve to fif-
hybrid tulips are best treated as annuals because they don’t teen bulbs were planted in it, and for a
perform well after the first year. As a result, Richie Steffen, Ex- fifteen-inch pot, they planted fifteen to
ecutive Director of the Miller Botanical Garden, recommends twenty bulbs.” The smaller container
planting them in containers. When I asked him for further size allows for pots to be easily moved
details, he said, “Two of the best ideas I found about grow- into place before flowering, and easily
ing tulips in pots came from some California gardeners.” The moved out once finished. This allows
key to their long-lasting tulip containers at Fisherman’s Warf for the showcase of several cultivars,
in San Francisco was to use three different varieties that were and to always have great looking tulip
all the same color. “The first variety was an early season tulip pots exactly where you want them.
and was the shortest cultivar,” he said. An example would be a Continuing with successional flower-
Single Early tulip such as ‘Sunny Prince’, a pale lemon yellow Rosa ‘Lavender Veranda’ and drumstic
ing bulbs, last fall, for the first time,
February March
Iris
reticulata Muscari
Scilla (grape
Galanthus Crocus hyacinth)
Leucojum vernum Narcissus
(snowdrop) late-flowering Scilla
(snowflake) (daffodil)
The
The BUZZ
Buzz | Page
| Page 2 2
I planted two
different culti-
vars of Dutch
irises (Iris x hol-
landica), ‘Blue
Magic’ and ‘Eye
of the Tiger’.
Not only were
they exotic
beauties, but
the flowers were
sturdy and long
lasting.
Of course,
the stars of the
late spring/early
ie Steffen. summer bloom-
ing bulbs are the
alliums, and of
those, Allium
‘Globemaster’ is
by far the best.
They are also
the most expen-
sive, but even
Iris ‘Eye of the Tiger’. Photo by Nita-Jo Rountree
just a few will
make a bold state-
ment in the garden. A. ‘Globemaster’ flowers start off green, and as they mature, they turn dark pink
gets its huge eight- to ten-inch ball- from the top down, then clover red-purple. They have wiry
shaped flowers from one of its parents, twenty-inch tall stems, so it’s useful to grow them up through
Allium christophii (another great spe- roses, taller perennials or shrubs to give them support. An-
cies). The densely packed star-shaped other bonus is, since the bulbs are small, you don’t have to dig
florets are deep lavender to silver-pur- a big hole!
ple, and the new florets continue to de- Buy and plant your bulbs now for a long-lasting fabulous
velop as the originals fade, resulting in floral display.
an extremely long bloom time. While
they reliably bloom in following years,
the balls become smaller in size, so I You can find a great selection of bulbs online at:
plant a few new bulbs every fall. John Sheepers: www.johnsheepers.com
Following the globe-type alliums are Brent and Becky’s Bulbs: www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com
the drumstick alliums (Allium sphaero-
ck allium. Photo by Nita-Jo Rountree. cephalon) The one-inch egg-shaped
April May
Allium
Camassia
Hyacinthoides Hyacinthus Dutch
(bluebell) (hyacinth) late-flowering iris
Tulipa Leucojum aestivum
(tulip) Narcissus late-flowering
Tulipa (summer snowflake) Illustrations by Anne Dziok
The BUZZ | Page
The Buzz | Page3 3
U
ndulating flowers, in a forest web of green,
meet with a dash of sunrise as their anti-
flashes of pinkish white hues pucker and
sway in a fair summer drizzle. In all their
recurved pomp and ease, dahlias are plentiful (they range
across forty-two species), have an assortment of sizes,
fifteen colors and twenty-nine noted forms. These plants
offer unparalleled magnificence, striking beauty and
notable presentation from small pots, to bursting borders
and raised beds.
Take for instance, cactus forms—such as the award-
Featured Plant: Dahlias winning sunburst ‘Alfred Grille’ and prodigious ‘Dutch
Explosion’, or the semi-cactus genera which includes
By JG Federman peachy ‘Surprise’ and velvety ‘Frigoulet’. Alternatively,
decorative dahlias such as ‘Melody Dora’ or informally
splashed ‘April Dawn’ are well-regarded. For distinctive borders, pompon and ball style dahlias (‘Maarn’ or ‘Boogie Nights’) as
well as collarette/anemone-flowered plants (‘The Phantom’ and ‘Jitterbug’) offer imaginative theater.
Prime examples of dark mystic Mignon Dahlias for heightened bed drama are ‘Moonfire’ and ‘Mystic Sprit’. Even expressive
orchid types such as ‘Juuls Allstar’ or the historical peony-flowered form ‘Bishop of Llandaff ’ percolate fashionably with style.
Lastly, miscellaneous show-stopper dahlias exist in lancinated, stellar, waterlily or dinner plate forms. Latter varieties—such
as the hybrid Dahlia pinnata ‘Forncett Furnace’—are known for large, vibrating blooms and vigorous growth. This hybrid has
profuse, intense electrifying red-orange flowers and grows five feet high and three feet wide; a blaze of ornamental wonder.
Dahlias thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with suitable space and proper fertilizer. Six hours of direct sunlight and
afternoon shade is recommended. Compost or mulch annually to enrich sites—particularly clay soils. Although dahlias are superb
container plants, tubers require drainage outside (raised beds or French drains are often used).
To promote early blooms, grow tubers inside one month prior to planting and prepare the site with a low nitrogen fertilizer.
Prior to the first frost, cut the plant back and remove its tubers so it can be replanted next spring. Showcase flowers with a stake
to tie the Dahlia back to maximize height. Second, when three buds develop at the tips of the branches, remove the outer two
buds to encourage energetic growth.
For an ounce of injected drama, companion plants include Agapanthus, Alstroemeria, Anthemis, Artemisa, Aster, Echinops,
Echinacea, Geranium, Persicaria, Salvia, and Sedum. These combinations will create cheerful borders, glowing beds, or a stunning
punch of potted vibrancy. Certainly, a glorious ‘Forncett Furnace’ towering over a sunken bed of Echinops or a diminutive Dahlia
‘Jitterbug’ set in a cottage window box beguiles more than just the senses.
O
ne of the best ways to see the Bellevue Botanical tomized to your needs and interests and generally last between
Garden is by taking a private docent tour. Our sixty and ninety minutes. We can also customize our tours for
docents have been trained to educate and inform those with mobility issues. We don’t charge for our tours, but
you on the many intricacies and garden character- we do suggest a five dollar per person donation.
istics that make the experience fun and exciting. Tours are cus- We currently have twenty-nine docents. This year our tour
group size has ranged from four to fifty-four people. In addi-
tion to giving tours to those in our community, our docents
have given tours to people from all over the world. On aver-
age each year, there are about forty-five private tours given.
Private tours are a wonderful way to show out of town guests
our gorgeous Garden, the number one tourist destination in
Bellevue. Tours are available between April and October and
may be scheduled any day of the week.
To schedule a tour, please visit bellevuebotanical.org or call
our office at 425-452-2750. Please book your tour at least
two weeks in advance of your preferred date. We will be doing
Take a Private Docent Tour docent training in early spring of 2020. If you’re interested in
becoming a docent, please contact Cynthia Welte at
By Sue Johnson & Marty Zollner. Photo by Rebecca Randall.
cwelte@bellevuewa.gov.
The
The BUZZ
Buzz | Page
| Page 4 4
Q
I’m looking to add interest and color to to bloom. Find the sunniest
my garden by incorporating some fall location in your garden
blooming trees. Can you recommend a for your crape myrtles;
few good ones that won’t grow taller than otherwise you may never see
twenty feet? the spectacular flowers.
A: When it comes to fall blooming trees, it’s If you’re willing to
hard to beat Crape Myrtles (Lagerstroemia). These beautiful sacrifice fall foliage color
trees come in a wide variety of sizes, with a number of for delicious fragrance
spectacular varieties that never come close to twenty feet tall. and ornamental berries,
In western Washington, they bloom in late summer, the foliage Harlequin Glory Bower
on many varieties turn a stunning color, and some varieties
even have the added attraction of exfoliating bark. Some of the
(Clerodendrum trichotomum)
is a good choice. It is
Ask Ciscoe!
By Ciscoe Morris
best crape myrtles are in the newly introduced ‘Magic’ series sometimes referred to as
featuring fantastic flowering, drought tolerance, and disease- peanut butter tree because
resistant foliage. ‘Midnight Magic’ and ‘Moonlight Magic’ the leaves smell just like peanut butter if you rub them.
have dark purple leaves that remain colorful all summer long Although the green leaves don’t color up in the fall, the tree
and contrast beautifully with the striking flowers. ‘Midnight puts on a stunningly beautiful late-summer display: First,
Magic’ sports pink flowers and grows as a bushy tree topping the wonderfully scented white flowers dangling from red
out at about six feet tall, while ‘Moonlight Magic’ has white tepals appear, followed by brilliant blue berries encased in
flowers and grows in a more columnar form, reaching about star-shaped red
twelve feet tall. Other crape myrtles in the ‘Magic’ series lack calyxes. The one
the dark purple foliage, but make up for it with dazzling fall downside is that
color. ‘Red Magic’ forms a bushy tree that rarely exceeds ten these trees tend
feet. The leaves emerge with a red tint, become deep green in to sucker. I admit
summer before turning brilliant shades of red and orange in that it’s somewhat
fall. A great profusion of fire-engine-red flowers occurs earlier of a pain in
than on other crape myrtles. When it comes to unusual, showy the “kazutski”
flowers, ‘Ruffled Red Magic’ takes the prize. Maxing out at to remove the
twelve feet, suckers, but it’s
the foliage worth the effort
puts on a because the trees
colorful show look beautiful Clerodendrum trichotomum. Photo by Nita-Jo Rountree.
in fall, but it’s grown as open
the iridescent multi-trunked specimens.
ruffled red Finally, a lovely fall-blooming tree too rarely planted in our
flowers, unlike area is Vitex agnus-castus. This small tree of Mediterranean
anything origin can reach fifteen feet tall and wide, but can easily be
you’ve ever pruned to keep it smaller. They’re attractive even when they
seen, that aren’t in flower, with deeply divided six-inch leaves, grayish
makes this green above and silver below. The best, however, is saved for
a totally late September or early October when the upwardly point-
irresistible ing, fragrant cone-shaped flowers occur. The blossoms begin
tree. to open at the bottom of the flower stem and continue up
Crape the stem to provide four to five weeks of colorful blooms that
myrtles in the are highly attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds.
‘Magic’ series In the past the only color available was a rather blah lavender,
are hardy to but nurseries and mail order catalogs now carry varieties with
about zero white or pink blossoms, as well as vivid purples and blues. By
degrees. the way, the common name for Vitex agnus-castus is chaste
These trees tree. For some reason, the ancient Greeks and Romans got
require heat the idea that if they put the leaves in the beds of their maiden
and sunshine daughters they’d lose their ardor for the boys. How come I
Lagerstroemia ‘Midnight Magic’. Photo by Mary Fleweling Morris. suspect the girls started that rumor?
The BUZZ | Page
The Buzz | Page5 5
Diversity and Inclusion let them know we would like to work with them.
at the Garden By Nancy Kartes
Accessibility:
• With the help of visitors with limited mobility, we audited
our site for physical accessibility and learned that we need
to replace a gravel ramp with concrete and install addition-
al benches. These rose to the top of our priority projects
list and we began to explore funding options.
2018
Language and culture:
• We created a welcome brochure in Bellevue’s top five
languages. However, we know that true engagement
doesn’t come from simply translating what we do into
other languages. It requires working with members of the
community to learn how we can best serve them through
programming that is both meaningful to them and aligned
with our mission.
• We began to form a strategy around that intention by
continuing our participation with the Russian gardens
program and inviting our Chinese colleagues to join our
The new concrete ramp.
Diversity Committee.
B
ellevue Botanical Garden is committed to serving
Accessibility:
• We participated in a work program for differently abled
our community broadly and inclusively. In 2014
young adults.
Bellevue adopted their Diversity Advantage Plan,
• Our education programs made accommodations for chil-
affirming that “Bellevue welcomes the world.
dren with special learning or physical needs.
Our diversity is our strength.” Nowhere is that more evident
• We secured funding for our replacement concrete ramp
than at the Garden! Our visitors reflect the broad diversity of
and continued to install additional benches through our
people who live in Bellevue and those who visit from all over
tribute bench donation program.
the world. We learned about the changing demographic of
our community and our visitors when we opened the Aaron
2019 and Beyond
Education Center in 2014 and dramatically expanded our pro-
Language and Culture
• We are developing a new volunteer group of greeters to
gramming.
enhance the experience of all visitors and hope to recruit
As a community-supported municipal garden that is free and
multi-lingual participants.
open every day of the year, we have very few economic barri-
• Our work with the Russian gardens continues to thrive
ers to inclusion. Our goal now is to engage more deeply with
and this year we will send Education Program Manager
visitors and the community to provide programming that is
Kate Sorensen to Russia through an exchange program for
equitable, meaningful, and aligned with our mission.
public garden educators.
Together with our partners, we have identified two areas
• We developed a series of classes and exhibits celebrating
to improve inclusion: language barriers and physical barriers.
Chinese Tea Arts through the seasons that debuted dur-
We’re building strategies to remove barriers by leading from
ing National Public Gardens Week and will continue into
where we are and doing what we can with available resources.
2020.
Here’s our progress over the last couple of years:
2017 Accessibility
• The concrete ramp was completed in July.
Language and culture:
• We are exploring options for additional improvements to
• We committed to deeper engagement with the top five
accessibility from physical and programmatic perspectives.
most populous communities within Bellevue for whom
English is a second language. We started with “hello” by This fall the Garden will host a regional Diversity and In-
creating a Garden d’Lights welcome banner in Chinese, clusion workshop designed specifically to train public garden
Russian, Hindi, Spanish and Korean. professionals. We will also participate in the City’s Welcoming
• We engaged with our Russian-speaking community and Week activities September 13-22. Please check our website for
began to form relationships through a cultural exchange Welcoming Week program details. Through opportunities like
program with Russian gardens. these, we reinforce, share, and amplify our commitment to di-
• We met people in the Chinese immigrant community and versity and inclusion.
The
The BUZZ
Buzz | Page
| Page 6 6
N
early four centuries ago, English polymath
Francis Bacon opined that a garden “is the
purest of human pleasures” and “the greatest
refreshment to the spirits.” Pure and refreshing
though it is, gardening—as those of us who have practiced it
for decades must admit—can sometimes induce dour dollops
of displeasure. In fairness, blame lies largely on us as fallible
gardeners making ill-advised choices. Looking back on my
thirty years of floral foibles, I am abashed by the chorus of
unintended consequences that now nip at my dusty heels
whenever I set foot in my errant patch of Eden. In the spirit
of education, if not confession, I’ll share my litany of regrets
in hopes of helping others avoid similar pitfalls. For the sake
of brevity, the list is limited to five.
1. Bamboo—Big, bold and beautiful, for the first fifteen
years our plantings of Phyllostachys nigra, with its handsome,
glossy black canes, and P. viridis ‘Robert Young’ (robust,
golden with green stripes) seemed well-behaved on the sur-
face, but unseen below were biding their time for an all-out
assault on our lawn and the neighbors’. No, I couldn’t be
bothered with planting the wimpy clumping types, and yes,
we thought we had it contained. Now we know who’s boss.
2. Eucalyptus—When eucalyptus fever struck the Pacific
Northwest about twenty years ago, I was among the first to
succumb, planting fourteen varieties over a five-year period.
My Biggest Gardening
A decade later, frigid blasts and my own incipient alarm win-
nowed the group to a seemingly manageable four. But this
Blunders Words & Photos By Daniel Sparler
quartet advanced from adolescence to maturity bent on total
domination, bursting sprinkler pipes, dwarfing and starv-
Bamboo invasion.
ing their neighbors while incessantly shedding leaves, fruit,
bark and whole branches as they loomed ever closer to nearby selling these thugs to an unsuspecting public?
houses. This spring we removed two behemoths and had the 4. Gifts and donations—This is delicate: Who wants to ap-
remaining pair extensively pruned. pear ungrateful when a friend offers a cute little division of a
3. Ground cover—How could it have taken me a decade to darling perennial? Sadly, lack of proper vetting resulted in my
figure out that a well-nourished ground cover will act exactly unleashing a whole herd of botanical Trojan horses. The chief
as its moniker sug- culprits: Geranium nodosum, Allium triquetrum and Rosa ‘Com-
gests? In a modestly plicata.’
sized urban garden 5. Overplanting—Perhaps the most difficult to correct, as
this means surround- it entails acknowledging one’s own hyper-acquisitive, addic-
ing its neighbors tive tendencies. Unchecked it means plugging ten plants into
before smothering a space meant for one. The remedy must involve invoking a
them in a verdant higher power: a vigilant partner or a judicious friend you’ve
carpet. The worst contracted to accompany you on each nursery visit.
meanies for me: As I peruse this pentagon of pain, it occurs to me that the
Lamium galeobdolon unifying thread has been my impatience, the impulse for in-
‘Variegatum’ (yellow stant gratification, the refusal to embrace the long view. Ba-
archangel), Aegopodi- con’s blissful utopian vision swayed me so that I failed to read
um podagraria ‘Varie- further: His “pure and refreshing” seventeenth century garden
gata’ (goutweed) and required thirty acres of land! Surely a more fitting aesthetic
Houttuynia cordata for our present circumstance is Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s
(Chameleon plant). maxim, “Less is more.” I get that. Now, will I be able to walk
Why are nurseries still the talk?
Eucalyptus root pruning.
The BUZZ | Page
The Buzz | Page7 7
Two Partner Groups Join flower arranging and landscape design while encour-
Forces By Cynthia Welte aging good horticultural practices that conserve our
natural resources.
As June Ann Hassebroek, ELWD/BBG Coordinator,
writes, “Besides artistic outlet with landscape design, my
love is to grow plants year around to use artistically in
floral arrangements that will stir the viewer’s senses…
Community service in earth friendly ways is important.
Making friends and spreading joy has been the reward.”
If you’d like to learn how to join a local garden club,
you can visit the ELWD website at www.elwd.org.
Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS)
WNPS promotes the appreciation and conservation of
Washington’s native plants and their habitats through
study, education and advocacy. Members represent all
T
levels of botanical knowledge, from professional and
he Native Discovery Garden was beautifully reno-
experienced amateur botanists, to beginners just becoming cu-
vated over the last year, thanks to a grant from the
rious about the beautiful plants and habitats of our state. The
King Conservation District and with the hard work
Central Puget Sound Chapter of WNPS offers regular lectures,
of staff and volunteers. At least two hundred hours
plant identification workshops, field trips, and spring and fall
of weeding, planting, and mulching were contributed by mem-
plant sales—many of which take place here at the Garden.
bers of the Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS) and the
At the Garden, volunteers through the WNPS help care for
East Lake Washington District of Garden Clubs (ELWD),
the Native Discovery Garden and host multiple work parties
in addition to their invaluable contributions of expertise and
to maintain that space each year. New this year, WNPS will
advice. These two groups are fairly different, but both share a
have monthly garden putter days on the 3rd Wednesday of
passion for native plants, and for contributing to the mission
each month from 10AM to 12PM. They invite people to
of the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
come out with us and expand their familiarity with our native
East Lake Washington District of Garden Clubs (ELWD) flora. You can find more information about the WNPS at
ELWD is dedicated to protecting and beautifying our world. www.wnps.org.
Neighborhood clubs study gardening, environmental issues,
H
ave you always wanted to get involved with and we ask that you be available to help for at least two shifts
Garden d’Lights? Here’s your chance! Gar- during that time.
den d’Lights runs Saturday, November 30 to During the Event
Tuesday, December 31, and we need volunteers There are two shifts per evening for each position, each 2.5
before, during, and after the event. hours long.
Before the Event Greeters: You’ll scan tickets, welcome visitors, and be a smil-
Installation: You will help move lights, pound in stakes, ing face as people enter our winter wonderland.
string and connect lights, and so on. Shifts are four hours long Special Event Support (SES): You’ll spend your shifts walk-
Monday-Saturday between October 28 and November 25, ing the paths, assisting visitors, and helping wherever needed.
Cashier: You’ll sell tickets in a heated booth by the event
entrance.
Volunteer Behind the Scenes Trillium Store: extra cashiers are needed in the store every
at Garden d’Lights By Cynthia Welte evening of the event.
After the Event: You will help with take-down by removing
lights and other hardware from the Garden. These are mostly
daytime, midweek shifts, similar timing as installation shifts,
over the first week to ten days in January.
Volunteering is a great way to contribute to the Garden and
have a lot of fun. If you want to join the team, apply online at
bellevuebotanical.org or contact Cynthia: Cwelte@bellevuewa.
gov or 425-452-6826.
The
The BUZZ
Buzz | Page
| Page 8 8
W
hen I think of cruises,
I envision enormous
cruise ships that hold
thousands of people,
so when a representative from the
French cruise line, Ponant Yacht Cruises
and Expeditions, contacted us about
sponsoring the “Gardens of the British
Isles” cruise, I was ready to reject the
idea. When I learned that this is a
“small ship” cruise on the new ship, Le
Dumont-d’Urville (it will launch this
year), with only approximately 150
passengers and a crew of 111, it got my
attention. Then when I saw that two of
the six garden tours include the world- It’s a Cruise and Garden Tour!
famous gardens of Great Dixter in East By Nita-Jo Rountree
Sussex (pictured here) and Tresco Abbey
on the Scilly Islands, I was sold.
Another one of the stops will be on the Isle of Wright, where dancing. Additionally, all meals aboard the ship, in their two
we will tour the Italian Renaissance country villa and garden restaurants, are prepared by French chefs and are included in
of Queen Victoria, designed by Prince Albert, and recently your cruise fare. An open bar, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and 24-hour
featured in the movie, The Favorite, and in the PBS mini-series, room service are also included.
Victoria. Airport transfers on the main arrival and departure days are
In addition to the iconic gardens along the southern coast included, and you only have to unpack and pack once! All
of England, there will be views of wild creeks to long sand or this PLUS ten percent of your cruise fare is a tax-deductible
pebble beaches, lush hills, charming fishing villages, and steep donation to the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society.
cliffs sculpted by the wind and sea.
On board entertainment will include musical performances For more information, please contact Tracy Landsman at
by two Celtic bands and other music, singing, and even 425-452-6919 or tlandsman@bellevuewa.gov.
I
f you haven’t seen “Friendship Circle,” our newest art feet high, eight feet wide, and three feet deep, and weighing
installation, it’s well worth the walk to the intersection in at eleven thousand pounds! Placement of the new piece was
of the Lost Meadow Loop Trail and the Tateuchi Loop expertly handled by Marenako’s, our local stone supplier; the
Trail to have a look. It’s an impressive addition, at six Bellevue Botanical Garden Society paid for installation.
The artist is stone sculptor Roger Hopkins of Desert Hot
Springs, California, and author of the book Stoneworking.
Mr. Hopkins has been doing landscape masonry since 1972,
and says that early on he learned that stone and water are
essential to any good landscape. In keeping with his belief
that every garden should have its surprises, he has provided us
an unexpected portal, beautifully framing the woodland and
inviting us to pause and enjoy this beautiful setting.
“Friendship Circle” is a tribute donation from Mike Peterson
honoring Bellevue residents, Jim and Judy Barlup. Jim is a
world-renowned rhododendron hybridizer, with approximately
250 registered and named hybrids to his credit. Many of his
hybrids have stunning orange flowers.
New Art Installation in the “Friendship Circle” is already very popular with our visitors.
Garden By Sue Johnson & Diane Johnson Please come see it and perhaps pose for a photo or two.
The BUZZ | Page
The Buzz | Page9 9
Books to read when it is Fruits of Eden: David Fairchild and America’s Plant Hunters, by
too wet (or cold or dark) to Amanda Harris “is fascinating and well told.”
weed By Wendy Leavitt “All of the older books by Frank Kingdon-Ward, including In
Farthest Burma as well as Return to the Irrawaddy are [also] fun
reads and give amazing insight into the hardships that many of
the early plant explorers endured plus the richness of the flora
of those regions that is still not firmly established in cultiva-
tion.”
Nancy Kartes, BBG Garden Manager: “I have two recom-
mendations. Both tell the stories of intrepid plant explorers,
generations apart, who shared/share a passion for plants so
strong they were willing to endure any hardship in the quest
for the plants that would shape our gardens and, in Fairchild’s
case, forever change agriculture in America.”
The Food Explorer, the True Adventures of the Globe-Trotting Bota-
nist Who Transformed What America Eats, by Daniel Stone
The Explorer’s Garden: Shrubs and Vines from the Four Corners of
the World, by Daniel J. Hinkley
Darcy McInnis, BBGS Communications Manager:
The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh: “This is
my favorite plant-related book. I learned so much about the
complex system of floral communication created during the
Victorian era, when people often conveyed their feelings
through flowers. The protagonist, Victoria, is so plucky, and
her story is touching and at times heartbreaking. In addition
to a great story, the book includes a guide to the meanings of
many different flowers, which was a lovely addition to this
delightful novel.”
G
Ciscoe Morris, author, lecturer, host of radio and televi-
ardeners tend to be hearty, all-weather people not sion programs about gardening: “Here are some garden-
easily discouraged by a little rain or cold from related books that earn my ‘Five Brussels Sprouts’ rating:”
pursuing their abiding passion for plants and The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World, by Michael
gardening. Still, there will come a few winter days Pollan: “The fascinating story of how the apple, tulip, mari-
as gray as garden boot socks (only shorter) when the ground is juana and potato were domesticated from both a human and
too sodden or too frozen to be working outside. plant perspective.”
Having a little stash of garden-related books set aside for Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother & Other
this predictable, annual “emergency” can be a sanity-saver Botanical Atrocities, by Amy Stewart: “What could be more
for gardeners stuck indoors. To that end, here are some book fun than reading about how deadly poisonous plants have
recommendations from the Bellevue Botanical Garden (BBG) been used to put the ‘el kabotski’ on all sorts of famous people
staff, volunteers and favorite Northwest authors and friends of throughout history?”
the Garden. The Potting Shed Mysteries, by Marty Wingate: “A series of
We asked contributors to focus on books other than how-to entertaining and suspense-filled ‘who done its’ that occur in
guides—that is any garden-related books they found inspiring, spectacular English gardens.”
interesting or just plain fun to read. Their resulting recom- Nita-Jo Rountree, member of the Bellevue Botanical Gar-
mendations are so wonderful and varied that you may find the den Society Board of Directors, author of Growing Roses in
prospect of another winter looking brighter already: the Pacific Northwest, lecturer:
Daniel J. Hinkley, world-renowned plant explorer, author, From the Ends of the Earth, by Christian Lamb: “This lively and
lecturer: “I am a fan of books on traveling that also involve quite humorous book is about the special plants that Christian
plants.” grows in her small garden in Cornwall, England, which she
A Rage for Rock Gardening, by Nicola Shulman: “This is a calls her ‘Living Plant Museum.’ She is a passionate plant col-
good but very quick read about [Edwardian era plant explor- lector who chooses plants not only because she likes them, but
er,] Reginald Farrer. I found it immensely interesting.” also for their colorful history.”
Continued on next page
The
The BUZZ
Buzz | Page
| Page 10 10A
s earth’s orbit sweeps us past the
equinox, we Northern Hemisphere
temperate gardeners need to snap to
attention and start planning for the
fall. Here are a handful of reminders and tips:
1. Early autumn is prime time for planting
shrubs and trees as well as many perennials and
starts of winter vegetables. Remember to water
them in well upon planting and keep it up until
the November rains do the job for you.
2. Marginal perennials in the Pacific Northwest,
such as many fuchsias and salvias, need to be
planted about two to three inches deeper than Tips for Autumn
they sit in the container in which you procured By Daniel Sparler
them. This ensures that if a cold winter zaps the
above-ground portion, insulated subterranean
buds will save the day come springtime.
3. Digging your dahlias: If you’ve got excellent drainage, there and sub-shrubs (including roses, hydrangeas, hardy fuchsias,
is no need to lift your dahlia clumps provided that you mulch and lavender) are best left alone until late February; autumn
them after cutting down the stalks. However, if you’ve a mind pruning stimulates winter growth, which isn’t a good thing in
to increase your clumps through division, I find it easier to lift our climate.
the clumps in autumn, wash them with a high-pressure hose, 5. If you’ve succumbed to cactus/succulent fever (I count
allow them to dry, and then keep them over winter in a dark, myself as a lost cause), get those critters under cover before the
cool garage or basement. Mist them once or twice to prevent drenching rains begin. Many types of cacti and agave, and even
dehydration, but lay off the water, or they’ll rot. Divide clumps some aloes and African euphorbias, are surprisingly cold hardy
in spring when the new buds declare themselves. as long as they’re kept dry under the eaves or on a covered
4. To prune or not to prune? Herbaceous perennials, those porch or lanai. If temperatures threaten to drop below twenty-
whose tops die back in autumn, can be cut to the ground eight degrees Fahrenheit, however, bring the spiky darlings
now, although some dried grasses remain attractive well into inside.
the winter and provide fodder and cover for birds. Shrubs
Books to Read When It Is Too Wet (Or Cold or Dark) to Weed, published in 1914, the eighth edition includes four volumes
continued from previous page
plus a supplement): “Not only does this set give valuable
A Tapestry Garden: The Art of Weaving Plants and Place, by growing information, it also offers a story of the species and
Marietta and Ernie O’Byrne: “This is about the actual garden its cultivars. It’s a great read—just try looking up one plant
of the O’Byrne’s who are well-known for their breeding of hel- and see if you don’t end up turning the pages to read about
lebores… When Marietta spoke for the BBGS, she was utterly the next and the next.”
charming and charismatic. I can almost hear her voice speak- Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds, by Victoria Summerley with
ing to me through the pages of their book.” photographs by Hugo Rittson Thomas. “Victoria is a friend of
Cynthia Welte, BBG Program Coordinator: mine and former editor at The Independent. She lives and gar-
Our Life in Gardens by Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd: dens in the Cotswolds. Here she features…the breath-taking
“This book tells the story of years [spent gardening] through gardens that come to mind when we think of the Cotswolds
the perspective of their garden… It’s full of great gardening and the book is a fun read.”
advice, but what brings me back to it is the style and human-
ity. I feel like I know Joe and Wayne because their writing is so This list of books is long and could be many times longer, but
approachable and real. You can read it in order, but you don’t I’d like to add just one more: Michael Pollan’s Second Nature:
really have to and can flip to any chapter. A Gardener’s Education explores with great humor and grace
Marty Wingate, lecturer, traveler, author of numerous one man’s far-reaching discoveries about nature and our place
books about gardens and gardening plus two series of in it as he ‘makes a garden.’ Since reading it, I have never
garden-related mystery novels: viewed gardening the same way again.
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, by W. J. Bean (first Such is the transformational magic of garden-related books.
The BUZZ | Page
The Buzz 11 11
| PageUpcoming Classes & Educational Events
Please visit our website at bellevuebotanical.org/events for more information.
Paper Itoh Peonies with Kate Alarcon, Saturday, September 21, 1-3pm,
$55/$65. Make a striking paper Itoh peony. Learn techniques for creating
a charming seed-pod center, adding a wash of color to your petals, stamen
making, petal shaping, and basic crepe paper flower construction.
Chinese Cultural Celebration, Sunday, September 22, 9am-4pm, free.
Celebrate and learn about Chinese culture. Booths representing 4 regions:
Beijing, Shanghai and Jiangnan, Canton and SW China will share their
cultures, tea, plants and flowers.
Kids in the Garden, Begins Tuesday, September 24 and concludes on
Tuesday, October 15. Meets weekly, 10-11:30am. $75/$100. Is your
Autumn 2019 3-5 year-old child interested in things that grow, fly or crawl? Designed
especially for preschoolers, our four-week program will teach kids about
Education
nature in the garden, from bulbs to bats and lots in between. Topics for
fall session are Magical Mushrooms, Leaves and Seeds, Spring bulbs, and
Nocturnal Creatures.
Readings In the Garden with author Tim Clemen, September 26, 5:30-
7pm, BBGS members only. Free. Stroll the Garden and listen to stories
written by Tim Clemen centered around three plants in the Garden. Tim is the author of The Plant-Life Chronicles of a Seattle
Gardener and is an experienced landscaper who can answer questions about Northwest gardening.
Great Grasses for your Garden with George Lasch, Sunday, September 29, 10am-12pm, $25/$35. Ornamental grasses
introduce exciting textures to the garden, along with movement and even sound as they rustle in the breeze. Slides and handouts
will start the class followed by a walk and talk in the Garden to appreciate how grasses are used in the landscape.
Mindfulness in the Garden, taught by Deborah Wilk and Jessica Hancock, Friday, October 18, 10:30am-12pm, $25/$35.
Utilizing elements of Mindfulness meditation and Shinrin-yoku (Japanese Forest Bathing), we will awaken all of our senses and
deepen our connection to nature, allowing ourselves to experience the combined healing power of nature and present awareness.
Chinese Tea: White, Oolong, & Yellow, Sunday, October 20th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, $25, member & non-member. This class will
introduce you to three major Chinese Teas: White tea, Oolong tea, and Yellow Tea. You will learn about the ecological setting of
the tea plantations and the regional cultures around them; tea picking and its classification; and the techniques of tea making. In
addition, there will be a tea presentation covering the etiquette of the tea ceremony
Build Your Own Holiday Wreath, Saturday, December 7, 10am-12pm, $30, member & non-member. Learn to create a holiday
wreath from the ground up! We will provide the frame and you bring the evergreens, accents from your yard (cones, rose hips,
holly, etc.), and any ribbon or other decorations you want. We will show you how to wrap the evergreens onto the frame and how to
attach decorations.
W
e are thrilled to welcome professional gardener
and writer, Daniel Mount, to the Bellevue Botani-
cal Garden! Daniel acquired his horticultural
expertise from his thirty-year career gardening
and garden-making in the Pacific Northwest, Europe and the
Midwest.
In addition to designing and maintaining gardens in the Pacific
Northwest, Daniel was invited to Cologne, Germany, where he
worked on urban rooftop and courtyard gardens as well as rural
estates. He was next called to “Orto dei Semplici Elbano” on the
Island of Elba, Italy, where he collected and designed with the
unique flora of this island. He frequently teaches classes and leads
wildflower hikes.
In his lecture, Daniel will share the ins and outs of bulb selec-
tion, planting, and maintenance. From the classics like tulips and
daffodils to the oddities like fritillarias, brodiaeas, and corydalis,
you will learn to have the ephemeral beauty of these gems in your
garden.
October Speaker: “Spring Starts in October”
Wednesday, October 16, 7pm
Daniel Mount Aaron Education Center, Bellevue Botanical Garden
$5 BBGS members/$15 non-members
Buy tickets at www.bellevuebotanical.org/lectures
The
The BUZZ
Buzz | Page
| Page 12 12F
or the last several
years, our Annual
Trillium Celebration
has been combined
with a lecture, requiring us to
cut short the meeting portion.
Because we wanted our members
to better understand how the
garden operates and our goals
for the future, this year we tried
something a little different: we
held a members-only lecture
with Ciscoe Morris on August 6, August Member Lecture &
and the Trillium Celebration on
August 13. Both were fun and
Annual Trillium Celebration
memorable events! By Darcy McInnis. Photos by Anita White
Ciscoe Draws a Full House
More than two hundred members were in attendance for wears a lot of hats, including docent, co-teacher of the docent
Ciscoe’s lecture, “Ciscoe’s Fa-a-a-a-vorite Oh-la-la Plants,” training program, a member of the Events Committee, and
and some were lucky enough to win one of the plants Co-Chair of the Outreach Committee. Her cheerfulness is
Ciscoe gave away. Before the lecture, guests enjoyed contagious. Carl is our Garden d’Lights lead repair person and
refreshments and socializing. primary builder. As if that weren’t enough, he is also a member
of the Garden d’Lights Steering Committee and the Events
Committee. He is strongly committed to the Garden and is
always looking for ways to improve our processes.
Elaine White: Elaine is responsible, dependable and fun, and
an outgoing advocate for the Garden. She always welcomes
opportunities to talk to those just learning about BBGS.
She cares deeply about the Garden and through her many
volunteer hours, she supports the Garden in meaningful ways.
New, Returning & Retiring Board Members
Society Board of Directors members for 2019-2020 were also
elected at the Annual Meeting. We are pleased to welcome two
new members to the Board of Directors: Barbara Bruell and
Marty Zollner. Nita-Jo Rountree has served two consecutive
Guests enjoyed visiting with Ciscoe before his lecture. three-year terms and is required to retire for at least a year, and
Kathleen Searcy will return to the Board after her required one
“Being in the Know” Annual Meeting & Trillium Celebration year away.
Guests were treated to refreshments, followed by a recap of the
year by staff and the Co-Chairs of our Board of Directors. We
also presented four devoted and hardworking individuals with
the Trillium Award. Honorees were given an engraved vase as
a token of our gratitude. Congratulations and thank you to
our Trillium Award winners!
Anne Dziok: Anne is extremely thoughtful and reliable.
Admired for her calm demeanor and ability to see the big
picture, she listens carefully to all viewpoints and perspectives
before making decisions. Anne pitches in and does what is
needed to support the Garden, including as Co-Chair of the
Board of Directors and Chair of our Education Committee.
Cathy McCaffrey and Carl Schroeder: Husband and wife
team, Cathy and Carl, are superheroes at the Garden! Cathy Our four Trillium Award winners (left to right): Anne Dziok, Cathy McCaffrey,
Carl Schroeder, and Elaine White.
The BUZZ | Page
The Buzz 13 13
| Pagethe past few years has made more than $100,000
for the Society!
Your donated fine china and silverware may be
enjoyed at Society Events
Some of the donated china and silverware has
been set aside to be used for Society events. Why
rent when donated dinnerware can be used? You
may have noticed your china and/or silverware at
the Artful Garden Dinner in August, or perhaps
you will be served tea in an exquisite cup or
cookies on a vintage plate at a future Society
Thank You, Society event.
Members! by Susan Hawkins Your donations may support the Society’s
Holiday, Vintage & Collectibles Sale on
October 12
Many of your donated holiday decorations,
Photo by Anita White
hostess, and entertaining items were set aside
for this sale. Plus, there will be more vintage and
You helped the Society exceed its fundraising goal for the collectible items for you and your friends to purchase. This sale
Vintage Project will be a great way to prepare for the holidays.
Because of your generosity, the Society exceeded its 2019 And we continue to accept quality donations, especially silver
goal of $20,000 by $5,000! First, you responded by donating and silver-plate items, as well as complete and incomplete china
thousands of quality items. Second, you volunteered countless sets. Email us to arrange a pickup of your items at vintage@
hours supporting the sale, from delivering items to merchan- bellevuebotanical.org.
dising to cleaning up. Third, you shopped the sale and invited
your friends. The successful Vintage & Collectibles Sale over Thank you!
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
W e lc o m e
New Members!
Circles of Giving Irene Lundquist & Keith Lori Blikre Jennifer Pastore
Julie Kindel Diedrick Faith Bosna Julia Pizzi
Koan & Ed Maurer Brian Brenno Erin Powell
Contributing Patrick McGraw Anne Butcher Nancy Powell
Jaclyn & Moe Salemi Laura Metzer Kirsten Clark Janet Pruitt
Elizabeth Nixon Marnee Crawford Catherine (Stacy)
Supporting Laura Otanez Marc Dubin Ramsower
Barbara Kajiya Julie Parsons Susan Ebel Ginger Reeves
Johanna Palmer Rosemary Payne Debbie Fixman Charlotte Roberts
Joni & Rob Polasek Karen Ford Joel Roggeman
Family Ashley Sauder Carol Galea Maria Ruano
Bartlett Tree Experts Stefanie & Nick Scott Janet Garrow Karen Samuel
Irene Becker Susan & Steven Sheppard Christine Gunther Lisa Sanner
Janice Bowen Kathleen Sherman Steven Harmon Donna Schneider
Jody & Wayne Burns Kate Randall & Bobby Lauren Hartman Stacy Schwartz
Kathleen Casciaro Sherwin Cathi Hatch Mateo Seger
Lin Chen & Min Xu Jo Ann Skiena Victoria Henderson Laura Shabe
Tim Chiang-Lin Phyllis & Scott Smouse Harriet Herschel Terri Sharp
Catherine Coulson Lolan Song & John Eadwynne Hoffberg Wilma Stacey
Nancy Courtney Pickron Jo Iaciofano Laura Toussaint
Philip Edry Joan Spear Tere Kaulfus Naoko Ulstein
The Casey Family Renee Swank Barbara Kirk Yue Wang
Monique & Nathaniel Swansons Nursery Kristen Kittel Nancy White
Gallery Kay & Peter Talbot Paula Leeder Elizabeth Wickizer
Patty Gordon Mary & Bob Taylor Vanessa Lund Susan Williams
Betty & Jim Gunlock Shannon Taylor Robin Maass Thomas Williams
Barbara & Howard Jennifer Topel Judy Marcoe Sharon Wilson Susan & Moe Krabbe
Harrison Virginia & Joseph Turner Rebecca Marcy Susan Wray
Layying Hou Susan Yahong Yi Marbeth Mayzak Ginny Young Artful Garden
Dr. Muriel Ishikawa Xiaoping Zhang Rosemary McCauley Donna Zahner Dinner Sponsors
Gayle & El Jahncke Susan Milke
Erin Johnson Individual Jilian Murdock
Teri & Richard Jones Kathleen Albert Jodi Nevrenchan
Ariya & Doug Kilpatrick Mollie Albrecht Nancy Newman
Molly & Jeff King Julie Beffa Karen Oliver
Elizabeth & John Kozleski Bonnie Berk Jean Pass May 1-July 31, 2019
The
The BUZZ
Buzz | Page
| Page 14 14Member Discount Program
BBGS members receive a 10% discount at
the following nurseries, garden centers and
garden service providers. Please present your
membership card prior to your purchase or when booking
your appointment to receive your discount.
• Bartlett Tree Experts, Lynnwood
What's New!
• Bellevue Nursery, Bellevue
• Bouquet Banque Nursery, Marysville (Discount on potted
products. No discount on mail orders)
• Cedar Grove (5 retail locations or online, soil products
only)
• City Peoples Garden Store, Seattle (Plant & gardening T he children are returning to school, there is dew on the
grass, and evenings are cooler so autumn must be just
around the corner.
items only at the Madison store)
• City People's Mercantile, Seattle Celebrate the changing
• Classic Nursery, Woodinville (regularly priced plant seasons with these
material only) charming and playful
• Crown Bees, Woodinville (online use code 'BBGS')
finger puppets. They are
• Davey Tree Expert Co., Redmond
• Gray Barn Nursery & Garden Center, Redmond popular toys for children
• Kent East Hill Nursery, Kent (Does not apply to and adults alike. We
consignment purchases) have dozens of assorted
• Jungle Fever Exotics, Tacoma animal puppets, but
• MsK Rare and Native Plant Nursery, Shoreline we think the caterpillar
• Old Goat Farm, Orting
in the apple and the
• Pine Creek Farms and Nursery, Monroe (Discount on
regularly priced plant material only) mouse in the pumpkin
• Ravenna Gardens, Seattle are particularly fun for
• Swansons Nursery, Seattle storytelling.
The changing seasons
Bellevue Botanical Garden Society might bring you indoors, so relax with a good book! We carry
Our Mission is to perpetuate and further enhance the a unique selection of reference books for gardeners, gift books,
Bellevue Botanical Garden as a learning resource books on relaxation
in partnership with the City of Bellevue. and wonderful
The Garden is located at 12001 Main St., Bellevue, WA 98005 children’s books.
and is open daily from dawn until dusk. Come visit our cozy
Visitor Center hours: 9am to 4pm daily
Administrative office hours: 9am to 4pm Monday-Friday book corner.
(425) 452-2750 | bbgsoffice@bellevuebotanical.org It’s not too early
www.bellevuebotanical.org to be looking toward
Christmas. We
officers of the bellevue botanical garden society have been receiving
co-presidents Anne Dziok & Sue Johnson
treasurer Amy Doughty
secretary Heather Babiak-Kane
hundreds of new ornaments
directors
Barbara Bruell, Robin Root James, Denise Lane, Jim Livingston, weekly. By the end of October, the
Cleo Raulerson, Kathleen Searcy, Gretchen Stengel,
Doris Wong-Estridge, Lisa Wozow, Marty Zollner Trillium Store will be transformed,
ready for holiday shoppers. Look
for garden, bird and woodland
the buzz team
JG Federman, Kathryn Highland, Sue Johnson, Nancy Kartes, themed ornaments as well as
Wendy Leavitt, Darcy McInnis, Kim Richards, Nita-Jo Rountree, traditional favorites from Old World
Daniel Sparler, Cynthia Welte, Anita White
Christmas.
submit a question for ciscoe morris
askciscoe@bellevuebotanical.org
Trillium Store Hours:
contact the buzz team
buzzteam@bellevuebotanical.org
September 11am-5pm, daily
October 11am-4pm, daily
November 1-27, 11am-4pm daily
The BUZZ | Page
The Buzz 15 15
| PageSpreading the Seeds non-profit org.
of Information u.s. postage
Upcoming PAID
Events
P.O. Box 40536 bellevue, wa
Bellevue, WA 98015-4536 permit no. 502
(425) 452-2750
All events take place at the Bellevue bbgsoffice@bellevuebotanical.org
Botanical Garden unless otherwise
noted. Visit bellevuebotanical.org/
events for more info. See page 12
for upcoming BBGS classes.
Master Gardener Clinics, Every
Saturday through September 28,
10am-2pm.
Botanical Gardens: Cultivating a
Culture of Discovery, Inclusion,
and Access, Friday, September 13,
6:30-8pm.
Hardy Fern Foundation Plant Sale
Saturday, September 14, 9am-3pm.
Northwest Perennial Alliance
Lectures, Sunday, September 15,
The Bellevue Botanical Garden Society is
1-3pm. a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization that
supports the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
Graceful Grasses, NW Perennial Our Vision: Through education and community
Alliance class, Tuesday, September involvement, we inspire all generations to advance
Northwest horticultural knowledge, and preserve
24, 10am. natural beauty and our local ecology.
Chinese Cultural Celebration,
Sunday, September 22, 9am-4pm.
Readings In the Garden with Shop the Society’s
author Tim Clemen, Thursday,
Holiday, Vintage &
September 26, 5:30-7pm.
Holiday Vintage & Collectibles
Sale, Saturday, October 12, 9am-
3pm.
Spring Starts in October, lecture
with Daniel Mount, Wednesday,
October 16, 7pm. Collectibles Sale
2019 Fall Social and Annual
Meeting, Hardy Fern Foundation,
Saturday, October 19, 11am. Find quality items generously donated for
Crown Jewel Wilderness: Creating
home, entertaining and garden
North Cascades National Park,
Washington Native Plant Society
lecture, Tuesday, October 22, A great sale to prepare for the holidays
7-8:30pm.
Perfect Peonies, NW Perennial
Alliance class, Wednesday, October
One Day Only!
23, 10am-12pm. Saturday, October 12 9am-3pm
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Connect with Us!
Detailed information and photos at www.estatesale.com
Enter 259028 at ID# Search
The
The BUZZ
Buzz | Page
| Page 16 16You can also read
