Indholdsfortegnelse for January/February 2025 i Horticulture

AFTER A CHILDHOOD spent helping on the small family farm in southern Ohio and playing in the nearby woods, where he enjoyed eating wild berries and pawpaws, Mark Wessel studied horticulture in college and then worked as a fine gardener on private estates. His involvement in North American Fruit Explorers, a fruit- and nut-growing enthusiasts’ group, led to a job with the Gardens Alive! group of brands, which includes Gurney’s, Spring Hill Nurseries, Breck’s and other mail-order suppliers, as well as research facilities. Among his various duties as the company’s Director of Horticultural Research, Mark meets with fruit and vegetable breeders to learn what new varieties are best to offer to home gardeners. SCOTT BEUERLEIN: I know there was a big increase in home growing of fruits and vegetables during…

Imagine biting into a sun-warmed tomato, freshly plucked from a mature plant just inches tall. The rise of compact edible plants—everything from eight-inch tomatoes to three-foot berry bushes and columnar apple trees—offers gardeners a way to grow delicious, fresh produce in almost any space. Thriving on windowsills and patios, these pint-sized powerhouses make growing food easier and more accessible while reducing our carbon footprint and fostering biodiversity. As cities become denser and growing space is more precious, we’re asking our plants and gardens to work harder. In addition, 43 percent of Americans are growing some of their food at home, according to the National Gardening Association, and in a recent Axiom Garden Survey, new or novice gardeners ranked vegetable gardening or growing new vegetables among their top three projects. “Demand…

I WAS CRUISING RIGHT ALONG, feeling okay about myself, when I came across a list of the Seven Deadly Sins. I really wish that hadn’t happened. Suddenly, I’m concerned that gardening has gotten me into big trouble. I think I can skate on a few. Gluttony, for instance. And Sloth. I have a garden. There’s always work to do. Little time for Gluttony or Sloth. And Wrath? I never feel wrathful. I never bring fury down upon my enemies. Hell, I don’t think I even have any enemies. And I’m too damned non-confrontational if I did. But if Wrath describes how I react to deer…and weeds…and hoses…. Pride. My garden defies me. It never lives up to my hopes and dreams. Typically, I’m not terribly proud of it. But I’d…

IN PARTICIPATORY SCIENCE, people from all walks of life contribute to research projects that build toward a better understanding of the natural world. Usually designed and managed by professional scientists, these volunteer projects allow an organization to gather a larger amount of data, perhaps over a bigger area or time period, than would be possible for a small staff or team to collect. Meanwhile, participants learn more about the subject at hand, gain experience in the scientific process and put their passions and efforts toward a bigger cause. In the United States, there are hundreds of opportunities to join in participatory science, with programs designed to work on a local, regional or national level. Many can be found in the searchable catalog at the website CitizenScience.gov. This year in Horticulture…

EVERY YEAR, various plant-focused organizations choose species or cultivars to call out as most deserving of a spot in gardens. These award programs help gardeners navigate broad categories of plants to find those choice individuals that are most likely to shine and thrive. In 2025, each issue of Horticulture will highlight one or two award programs and their latest botanical honorees. Let’s look first at the American Hosta Growers Association’s Hosta of the Year and the Perennial Plant Association’s Perennial Plant of the Year. 2025 HOSTA OF THE YEAR: ‘SKYWRITER’ The American Hosta Growers Association (AHGA) is made up of professionals who specialize in Hosta. Members include wholesale and retail nurseries, both mail-order and walk-in, as well as the growers that produce starter plants for these nurseries. The AHGA aims…

Compost is the not-so-secret ingredient for a successful garden. Gardeners love to create their own compost, putting garden and kitchen waste to good use and ultimately sending less material to landfills. But not every gardener has the space for a classic compost bin or wants to take on the maintenance one requires. Fortunately, several small-scale composting methods exist to turn their leftovers into garden gold. BUILD A GARDEN WITH SHEET COMPOSTING Also known as lasagna gardening, sheet composting is a no-fuss method of handling larger amounts of lawn and garden clippings and kitchen waste to create a practically weed-free, nutrient-rich garden. With this method, the materials decompose in place, becoming a rich bed that the gardener plants directly into. It is best to start in the fall so that the…

Is there a more versatile tree than crab-apples (Malus)? These ornamental wonders are among the most popular garden trees, delivering multiseason interest in all shapes and sizes. And crabapples keep getting better! New varieties offer disease resistance to apple scab and other issues that have plagued these members of the rose family (Rosaceae). But we can’t forget the existing varieties whose classic spring blooms have earned them spots on the favorite list, too. Of course, fruit is another hot topic with crabapples. Many gardeners love the colorful pomes for related wildlife and winter interest, while others would rather not deal with messy sidewalks and lawns. No matter your preference, you can find a variety to match it. 2024 was a rough year for crabapples in my area. We experienced a…

Adiantum aleuticum aye-dee-AN-tum: From Greek adiantos, unwetted ah-LEW-tee-kum: Of the Aleutian Islands A. pedatum peh-DAY-tum: From Latin, like a bird’s foot Agave ah-GAH-vey: From Greek agauos, noble Amsonia am-SO-nee-uh: For John Amdon, colonial physician and botanist A. hubrichtii hew-BRICK-tee-eye: For Leslie Hubricht, American biologist Asclepias tuberosa as-KLEE-pee-as: For Asklepios, Greek god of medicine too-ber-OH-suh: From Latin tuberosus, knobby (describing roots) Athyrium lix-femina ah-THEER-ee-um: From Greek athyros, doorless fee-licks-FEM-in-ah: Latin words for fern and woman, respectively Begonia beh-GO-nee-ah: For Michel Bégon, naturalist and French colonial o cial Buddleja davidii bud-LEE-yah: For English botanist and vicar Adam Buddle dah-VID-ee-eye: For Catholic missionary and naturalist Armand David Canna CAN-nah: From Greek word for reed Cissus SIS-suhs: From Greek word for ivy Here is the important part: Get the syllables in the right order,…