Beginning in May, new Wired Gardener posts will appear in the All About Gardening section of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society website. This is a way to put educational resources in one convenient location. Browse this area for lists of new library books, ask the librarian and Garden Q&A volunteers for help, search the Gold Medal Plants database, and much more! Be sure to explore the library’s Resource Guide section for subject guides containing carefully chosen “best of” books and links on gardening and greening topics created for you by the librarian and her helpers here in PHS’s McLean Library. Our most popular guide this month is Philadelphia Gardening Guide. Use this guide to learn where to buy plants, what to grow, how to connect with other gardeners and where to learn more.
Wired Gardener Posts Now Live on PHS Website
May 26, 2011PHS Educational Programs April 2011
March 29, 2011Saturday, April 2, 9am – 2pm Laura Sims Skate House South 63rd St. & Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA
A seven mile stretch of the Cobbs Creek Park and watershed will feature seven project sites from 63rd & Vine to Island Avenue at Cobbs Creek Parkway. In collaboration with Keep Philadelphia Beautiful, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Philadelphia Water Department, and the Darby-Cobbs Watershed Partnership, activities will include tree planting, creek-side cleanup, and trail restoration. The Cobbs Creek area hosts various recreation centers, playgrounds, picnic groves, a natural, paved trail, and the creek itself. A total of 59 trees will be planted between Marshall Road and the Cobbs Creek Environmental Center. details
Meadowbrook Farm Workshop: Divide and ConquerSaturday, April 2, 10am – Noon Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
Meadowbrook Farm general manager John Story will show different types of root systems and explain which have to be divided, which plants you can layer, and how to propagate both common and unusual perennial plants. details
PHS Gardening Series: The Dirt on CompostingSaturday, April 2, 11am – Noon Coleman NW Regional Branch, Free Library of Phila
68 W. Chelten Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Environmental educator Lori Hayes offers practical information for converting yard, garden, and kitchen waste into soil-building compost. details
PHS Gardening Series: Easy-to-Grow HerbsMonday, April 4, 11:30am – 2:30pm Chandler Hall
99 Barclay Street
Newtown, PA
Learn why herbs are among the easiest plants to grow. Horticultural therapist Bev Agard will tell you what all you need to know about growing, caring for, and using herbs. details
Evening Lecture at the Union League: The Flowering of Tuscany – British Gardens in Italy, 1900-1930Monday, April 4, 6:30 – 8:30pm Union League of Philadelphia
140 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
Noted garden historian and author Anna Pavord will examine the magnificent Italian gardens and explain how the British transformed Tuscan landscapes and garden design. details
PHS Tree Tenders Delaware CountyThree Wednesdays: April 6, 13 & 20, 6 - 9pm
Rutledge Borough Hall & Community Center
212 Unity Terrace
Rutledge, PA
BECOME A PHS TREE TENDER! Help beautify your neighborhood and region by planting and tending trees. PHS offers nine hours of hands-on training for residents of the five-county Philadelphia region. The training covers tree biology, identification, planting, proper care, and working within your community. details
Meadowbrook Farm Demonstration: Veggies 101 – Your Home Vegetable GardenThursday, April 7, 11am – Noon
Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
Grow local, eat local! It s time to plant your own vegetable garden. This workshop will address how to plan a garden in a sunny spot and get started. Meadowbrook Farm horticulturist Sharon Kaszan will discuss varieties of plants, best sowing times, fertilization, and insect and disease control using both traditional and organic practices. details
Thursday, April 7, 5:45 – 7:45pm PHS McLean Library 100 North 20th Street, 1st Floor Philadelphia, PA
In this book discussion group, which meets in the McLean Library, we read and discuss works of fiction or non-fiction having to do with gardens, plants, or the land. details
Saturday, April 9, Sunday April 10, 9am – 3pm
Various locations in southeastern PA
Thousands of trees will be planted in Southeastern PA this spring, and PHS will need lots of volunteers! Please consider offering a morning of your time as we work together to improve our environment by planting trees. Most planting events will be held on April 9 & 10 in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, and on April 16 & 17 in Philadelphia. details
PHS Tree Planting Leaders TrainingTuesday, April 12, 6:30 – 8pm PHS
100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Learn to be a bare-root tree planting leader. This training is intended for anyone interested in helping with PHS Tree Tenders bare-root tree plantings in Philadelphia on April 16 & 17. details
Meadowbrook Farm Demonstration & Walk: Gardening With Nature – Tough Spots and CompostingWednesday, April 13, 11am – Noon Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
Do you struggle getting plants to grow in dry shade, heavy soil, scorching sun, wet areas, or dead zones? Every garden has its problem spots. Meadowbrook Farm head gardener Glenn Ashton will share his secrets for meeting these and other challenges. details
PHS Gardening Series: Starting the Garden – NaturallyWednesday, April 13, 11am – 2pm Triple Oaks Nursery and Herb Farm 2359 Delsea Drive Franklinville, NJ
Find out how and when to begin the garden naturally. Lorraine Kiefer, owner of Triple Oaks Nursery and Herb Farm, will demonstrate how to recycle organic scraps into compost; which vegetables, fruits, and herbs to plant; and their best planting times. details
Wednesday, April 13, 5:30 – 7:30pm Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
This garden walk will explore the cheerful seasonal flowers of spring: Dutch bulbs. Chanticleer horticulturist Robert Herald will focus on the most rewarding spring-blooming bulbs–those that naturalize and are truly perennial. From snowdrops to daffodils, we will review their identification, garden culture, landscape uses, and sources. details
Two Thursdays, April 14 and 21 10am – 3pm
PHS
100 North 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Create a charming, intimate portrait of a garden you love. In this workshop, taught by Eileen Rosen, you will begin by learning and practicing specific colored-pencil techniques, then learn to reduce and eliminate extraneous details of the larger landscape. All levels of experience are welcome. details
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Most gardeners get itchy for bit of green and color in early spring. But does the threat of severe temperature changes frighten you away from planting early containers? With a little creativity, there can be far more in your early-spring pots than just pansies. details
Saturday, April 16, 9am – 1pm
Various parks across the city
Philadelphia, PA
Join us at parks around the city as we clean, green, and make a major difference in a single morning. Details will be announced soon; in the meantime find your gardening gloves, that old pair of sneakers, and get ready to LOVE Your Park! details
PHS Tree Planting Volunteer OpportunitiesSaturday, April 16, Sunday, April 17, 9am – 3pm Various locations
Philadelphia, PA
Thousands of trees will be planted in Southeastern PA this spring, and PHS will need lots of volunteers! Please consider offering a morning of your time as we work together to improve our environment by planting trees. Many planting events are being held in Philadelphia on April 16 & 17. details
Tour of the PECO Green Roof Tuesday, April 19, 5 – 6pmPECO building
2301 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
Want to learn about exciting green roof technology? PHS will lead tours of the 45,000-square-foot green roof at the PECO headquarters in Philadelphia. details
Chanticleer Demonstration: Pruning ShrubsWednesday, April 20, 5:30 – 7:30pm Chanticleer 786 Church Road Wayne, PA
Chanticleer horticulturist Przemek Walczak will discuss all aspects of pruning garden shrubs and demonstrate basic techniques. Using the grounds of Chanticleer as a classroom, he will focus on practical information for the home gardener, including reasons for pruning, when to prune, and the proper use and care of tools. details
Thursday, April 21, 10am – Noon Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
There is a suburban greening revival going on in Abington Township, PA, and it can be seen at schools, at township pools, around signs, and in small parks. It started with a hope of beautifying tired municipal parks and has grown to encompass much more. details
Garden designers face some daunting questions: How do I begin the creative process? Where can I find design inspiration? How will I know if my design is successful? Join Gary Smith to explore how to approach these questions like an artist. details
PHS McLean Library
100 N. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Spring is upon us, and horticulturist Toni Ann Flanigan will share ideas on how to brighten up your balcony, front porch, or yard with great-looking containers. details
Kids Grow ExpoFriday, April 29, 9:30am – 2pm
Temple University, Ambler Campus
580 Meetinghouse Road
Ambler, PA
The Kids Grow Expo is a horticultural exhibition by and for school-age children in the greater Philadelphia region. details
Download the Plant Sales & Events Calendar
March 29, 2011Take advantage of the region’s best plant sales and garden club events! Click here to download a complete listing for the remainder of 2011. Be sure to pay extra attention to April and May, the best time for garden sales, shows, and presentations. Whether you like African violets, rhododendrons, dahlias, or herbs—there is truly something for every variety of gardener!
Gardening Events In and Around Philadelphia – April
March 29, 2011Penn State’s Cooperative Extension in Philadelphia is now accepting applications for the 2011 Master Gardener Program, which provides experienced home gardeners with the information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others and to promote horticultural and environmental stewardship. Contact Doris Stahl or Kim Labno at 215-471-2200.
Workshops and Volunteer Activities Delaware Center for Horticulture Wilmington, DEAmong the offerings this month at the DCH are a rare plant auction and an opportunity to help build raised gardening beds for a community garden. details
Educational Events Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens Devon, PAApril offerings at the arboretum include a workshop on shiitake mushroom logs and a spring ephemeral wildflower walk. details
Scott Arboretum Events Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PAThis month you can take a workshop on terrariums, a guided tour of early spring highlights, and more. details
African Violet Society Meeting Thursday, April 7, 7 – 9:30 pm Cathedral Village Retirement Center Philadelphia, PA (Roxborough neighborhood)The program will preview the 2011 convention in Philadelphia: “Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Violets.” Contact Judith Smith at smithja@mail.med.upenn.edu or 215-233-2579.
“Candy in the Garden: New and Unusual Plants for the Landscape” Thursday, April 7, 7:45 – 9 pm Narberth Borough Hall Narberth, PACelebrity gardener Kent Russell is the presenter at this Narberth Area Garden Club program. details
Philadelphia Master Gardeners’ Second Saturday Series: “EZ Steps to Grow Vegetables” Saturday, April 9, 9:30 – 11 am Fairmount Park Horticultural Center Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia Master Gardener Julie Cox will take a mostly organic approach as she addresses the questions and dilemmas of the beginning vegetable gardener, including site selection, soil testing, planning, planting, nurturing and harvesting. details
Knowing Native Plants: Fleeting Flora Saturday, April 9, 10 am – 1 pm Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve New Hope, PAJoin education coordinator Amy Hoffmann to learn why the wildflowers of this season are called spring ephemerals, how their life cycle works and how their seeds are dispersed. details
Greatest Hits of the Morris Arboretum’s International Plant Exploration Wednesday, April 13, 2 pm Morris Arboretum Philadelphia, PAIn his illustrated talk, arboretum director Paul Meyer will show the most promising and interesting plants collected on his travels and return to three fascinating collection locales, including China, where he was among the first western visitors to rural areas in fifty years. details
Begonia Society Meeting Saturday, April 16, 10 am Huntingdon Valley Library Huntingdon Valley, PAProgram speaker is Charles Jaros, a begonia authority and judge from Florida. Meeting includes a plant raffle. Contact Stephen Ripper 215-536-9034.
Cactus and Succulent Society Plant Auction Saturday, April 16, 11 am – 3 pm Fairmount Park Horticultural Center Philadelphia, PAA wide variety of cacti, succulents, and other indoor and outdoor plants will be available. Contact Barry Bush at EEBush@aol.com or Frank Pearson, 570-688-4027 , fpearson@traceenv.com
Knowing Native Plants: Late Spring Lovelies Saturday, April 23, 1 – 4 pm Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve New Hope, PAJoin education coordinator Amy Hoffmann to explore later-blooming spring wildflowers including phlox, eastern columbine, foamflower, and more. details
Innovative Agriculture for the 21st Century Thursday, April 28, 6 pm The Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia, PASecond in a three-part series of forums highlighting cutting-edge issues on food and farming. Local experts will discuss organic and sustainable agriculture, the comprehensive technique known as permaculture, and growing trends in urban agriculture. details
Philadelphia Botanical Club Meeting Thursday, April 28, 7:30 pm Marvin Comisky Conference Center Philadelphia, PAAmy Karpati of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance will speak on “Mycorrhizal Fungi and their Interactions with Plants in Urban Environments.” details
An Evening with Andrea Wulf Friday, April 29. 6:30 pm The Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia, PAIn her latest book, Founding Gardeners, Andrea Wulf looks at the lives of the founding fathers and how their attitude toward plants, gardens, nature, and agriculture shaped the American nation. Her talk will show how plants, politics, and personalities intertwined as never before. details
Knowing Native Plants: Spring Garden Gala Saturday, April 30, 5 – 10 pm Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve New Hope, PAPut on your “black tie and muck boots” for an elegant evening in the woods at the preserve. All proceeds benefit the preserv’es conservation and educational programs. details
3rd Old Rose Symposium Saturday, May 21, 9 am – 5 pm Wyck Historic House and Garden in Germantown Philadelphia, PACelebrate this extraordinary rose garden, the oldest growing in its original plan in the United States. Expert speakers will include Jane Baber White, Nicole Juday, Stephen Scanniello and the Reverend Douglas Seidel. details
16th Annual Newport Flower Show Friday – Sunday, June 24 – 26 Rosecliff Mansion Newport, RISponsored by The Preservation Society of Newport County and Bartlett Tree Experts, this year’s show will celebrate “Entertaining–Newport Style.” Special guests will include renowned cake designer Sylvia Weinstock and international floral trend consultant Kevin Ylvisaker. more
To submit an event listing to The Wired Gardener, send email to wiredgardener@pennhort.org. Keep entry brief and include contact information.
April Activities for Kids and Families
March 29, 2011Kids Grow Expo, a horticultural exhibition by and for school-age children in the Greater Philadelphia Region, is a free event that allows youngsters to celebrate Earth Day with a number of activities and exhibits related to environmental awareness. details
The Philadelphia Science Festival April 15 – 28This month, Philadelphia’s universities, cultural institutions, research centers and schools will come together as a single, united voice to celebrate science. Organized by the Franklin Institute, more than 105 festival partners, including PHS, have spent the past year hard at work planning exciting events and special programs that will take place all over town. details
Japanese Cherry Blossom Celebration Saturdays, April 2 & 9, 10 am – 4 pm Morris Arboretum Philadelphia, PAJoin in a variety of activities for adults and children alike, including performances by the Hoh Daiko Drummers, origami for kids and a performance of the ancient Japanese swordsmanship technique “Ken Jutsu.” details
Dino Day & Bug Bonanza Saturday – Sunday, April 9 – 10, 1 – 4 pm Camden Children’s Garden Camden, NJCelebrate dinosaurs and insects while digging for fossils in the Dino Garden. This festival includes educational activities, a fun planting activity, and themed crafts. details
Earth & Arbor Day Festival for Schools Friday, April 15, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm Camden Children’s Garden Camden, NJThis school festival, designed for grades 3 – 6 and aligned to NJ Standards, includes four interactive lessons about making recycled paper, wacky planters made of recycled materials, water education, and each student can plant a seed to take home. Reservation required. details
Spring Bird Walks Saturday, April 16, 23 and 30, 8 – 10 am Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve New Hope, PAJoin experienced local birding guides for Saturday morning bird walks appropriate for ages 8-adult. details
Earth Day Volunteer Day Saturday, April 16, 9 am – 12:30 pm Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve New Hope, PACelebrate Earth Day at this event for individuals, families and groups with hands-on action that will help spruce up the preserve and benefit the environment. details
Earth & Arbor Day Family Festival Saturday – Sunday, April 23- 24, 1 – 4 pm Camden Children’s Garden Camden, NJThe festival includes planting activities, a ladybug release, crafts and educational activities to learn about and to help celebrate Mother Earth. details
A Walk in the Moonlight Saturday, April 23, 7 – 8:30 pm Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve New Hope, PAOn this first walk of the season, we will listen and look for spring peepers, wood frogs and more. details
Shofuso Summer Camp for Grades 3 – 6 July – August Shofuso Japanese House and Garden Fairmount Park Philadelphia, PAIt’s not too early to sign children up for one week of summer camp (or all four!) to learn about and experience Japanese culture, including origami, drumming, calligraphy, martial arts and much more. details
To submit an event listing to The Wired Gardener, send email to wiredgardener@pennhort.org. Keep entry brief and include contact information.
Fairweather Gardens Open House Days 2011
February 28, 2011
Aesculus pavia
Fairweather Gardens in Greenwich, New Jersey, is a mail order nursery known for its offerings of unusual trees, shrubs and perennials. In fact, Fairweather is a dependable source for several of PHS’s Gold Medal Plants — beautiful, reliable, exceptional trees, shrubs and woody vines of outstanding merit. Fairweather has a calendar of Open Houses for selected days in March through June, during which you can visit the nursery and purchase plants. Check out their calendar, as well as their online catalog. Other than Open Houses, the nursery is not open to the public.
Find Your New Hobby at the Gardener’s Studio
February 24, 2011
The Flower Show aims to dazzle, delight, and even dumbfound visitors. But beyond that we want you to come away with new ideas for gardening and greening. Therefore, I recommend the Gardener’s Studio, sponsored by Subaru.
Located smack-dab in the middle of the Show floor, the Gardener’s Studio offers presentations on the hour, every hour from 11 am to 7 pm. The topics cover a wide range, so something is bound to pique your interest. For starters there’s…
- green roofs
- urban foraging
- Gold Medal Plants
- bee keeping
- culinary herbs
- and so much more!
Check out the full schedule here and start planning your Flower Show experience. And thanks to Subaru of America for their ongoing support of this essential educational exhibit.
Flower Show Special : Greensource Event “Transforming Public Landscapes”
February 24, 2011Wednesday, March 9 from 5-7 pm at the Philadelphia International Flower Show.
Pre-registration required for admittance to the Pennsylvania Convention Center Ballroom.
Admission to the panel discussion is $40, PHS members $30.
Click here to register for this special event, or contact Carol Dutill at 215-988-8869.
View the complete PHS Greensource lecture schedule.
This panel discussion will feature distinguished public landscape architects and designers who have created some of the most influential public landscapes in the country. Each speaker will present examples of his or her work, and discuss how these projects have transformed public landscapes and the people who use them. After the presentations the audience will be invited to join the discussion with their questions. Continuing education credits applied for.
Panel moderated by: Charles Birnbaum, founder and president of the Cultural Landscape Foundation. The panelists are: Lynden B. Miller, public garden designer, New York City; Ken Smith, one of the best-known of a new generation of landscape architects; Doug Hoerr, a landscape architect known for his Chicago streetscapes; Christy Webber, the prominent Chicago landscape contractor; and Susan Weiler, the leader amoung landscape architects in the design of urban green roofs.
The PHS Greensource lecture series is made possible with funding from the William Penn Foundation.
QVC at the Flower Show – Thursday March 10 1pm and 8pm
February 24, 2011Live Broadcast at the Flower Show. See hosts Jonathan Redford and Antonella Nester.
Roberta’s Unique Gardens-Live from the Phila. International Flower Show-25 to Watch
Thursday, March 10, 2011
1:00-2:00pm; 8:00 – 9:00 PM ET
For three generations Roberta’s has provided gardeners some of the very best quality sized flower bulbs and plantings the world has to offer that are hard to find, yet easy to grow, so you can have the distinct, colorful garden of your dreams. Now, in addition to beautiful flowers and plants, Roberta’s brings you edible treats such as figs, citrus fruits, berries, and more for your taste buds to enjoy. And best of all, no matter where you live, Roberta’s is committed to bringing QVC customers unique plants and bulbs not easily found in those other “garden variety” stores, so give your senses a treat with Roberta’s Unique Gardens.
Your Questions, Our Answers, March 2011
February 24, 2011
Parc Georges Brassens, Paris
Q. We are going to Paris this May and would love any information available about the gardens of Paris. S.D., Philadelphia, PA
A. To get in the spirit, come to this year’s Flower Show! With its theme of “Springtime in Paris,” you will be greeted with a 33-foot-high base of the Eiffel Tower, then transported to romantic and elegant scenes of Paris through a host of remarkable gardens. Then, consult Alexandra d’Arnoux’s book The Secret Gardens of Paris. As a PHS member, you may borrow this copy from our library.
Here are some websites (in English) on gardens and parks of Paris: The About.com site has a good article A Visual Guide to Paris’s Best Parks and Gardens. Paris Digest website has a section on famous gardens in Paris. Looking for a walking tour? Paris-Walking-Tours.com offers a 3-hour tour of gardens and green spaces.
On a personal note, I recommend the Parc André Citroën in the 15tharrondissement (district). It’s built on a former Citroën factory site and worth a visit. I also recommend the charming Parc Georges Brassens, named for the famous singer and poet ( also in the 15th). I shot this photograph of the belfrey in the Parc Georges Brassens in November of 2009; as you can see, it’s worth visiting all year round!
