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Climate Change and Gardening

Category(-ies): Climate Change , Plant Conservation , Plants in the Landscape

What will be impact of climate change on gardening? A New York Times article addresses both the good and the bad. The good: different plant choices due to warmer weather & a longer growing season and raising awareness about environmental issues. The bad: increased pests and new weedy invaders, a changing native flora (and for some US states, the potential extirpation of state flowers and trees), and all of the associated cultural and biological consequences.

Feeling Warmth, Subtropical Plants Move North via the New York Times

Gardener's Guide to Global Warming (US-based) from the US National Wildlife Federation

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 9:47 AM

 


Winterizing the Green Roof

Category(-ies): Novel Uses of Plants , Plants in the Landscape

Green roofs are becoming more popular in North America. They bring nature into the urban environment, soften the view for people and provide habitat for insects and wild birds. They also have been shown to absorb noise pollution, alleviate stormwater runoff and help keep buildings cooler in summer. Canadian researchers, working in Ottawa and Toronto, have been testing designs for northern green roofs. A few simple changes to the typical green roof design resulted in dramatic reductions of heat loss from the buildings.

Typical green roofs use grasses, wildflowers and other low-growing plants in shallow soil beds - as little as 6 centimetres. The Canadian research team chose a plant that was well suited to the north. Juniper shrubs were planted to help reduce the effect of windspeed, which draws heat from the building. Deeper beds were constructed to form insulation against heat loss. Even in an experiment on a carefully designed energy-efficient house, the addition of a green roof resulted in a reduction of heat-loss around 8½ percent.

Link:
Green Roof Technology Adapted to Cold Climates from EnviroZine, online publication of Environment Canada

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 1:41 PM

 


Armchair Gardening

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

For many northern gardeners, the planting season is still far off. Cold winter days indoors give gardeners a chance to find out what is new in gardens, by reading through some of the seed catalogs that have been accumulating since the Christmas holiday. Americans spend over $3 billion on mail order and online gardening sales. Avid gardeners know that they will find much more variety in the catalogs than can be stocked on the shelf at the garden centre. Each year catalogs tout the latest, greatest varieties to get the gardener dreaming. Where do all these new plants come from?

Continue reading "Armchair Gardening"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 2:50 PM | Comments (1)

 


Saving Seattle's Native Urban Forests

Category(-ies): Plant Conservation , Plants in the Landscape

When people think of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest in general, images of dense forest with towering trees come to mind. But, like many other areas, the natural parklands in the city are under serious threat from invasive species. A century ago, when Seattle was a young growing city, much of the area was clearcut for development. Few of the grand conifers that populate the forests of the Northwest remained to produce new offspring. The area was largely repopulated with deciduous trees like maple and red alder. Strong competition from invasive species kept the conifers from regenerating. Now many of the bigleaf maples, the most common tree in Seattle's urban forest, are nearing the end of their lifespan and an invasion of aggressive weeds is taking their place.

Continue reading "Saving Seattle's Native Urban Forests"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 1:21 PM | Comments (0)

 


More Efficient Rain Gardens

Category(-ies): Novel Uses of Plants , Plants in the Landscape

Rain gardens have become popular landscape features in recent decades. The gardens are small depressed areas used to catch stormwater run-off from roofs, driveways and other impervious surfaces. Stormwater run-off is a major source of the pollution found in our rivers, streams and lakes. Studies have confirmed the ability of rain gardens to trap contaminants and in some cases convert them to less harmful compounds. A recent study shows how a small design change can help the gardens' ability to reduce nitrates.

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Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 1:04 PM | Comments (0)

 


A Green Evangelist in India

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

Darepalli Ramaiah hopes to plant ten million trees before his life is over. After being punished for stealing mangoes at age eight, the villager from Andhra Pradesh, decided to take up tree planting. Although he lacks formal training, Mr. Ramaiah makes up for it with his enthusiasm for nature. Each day he travels around the countryside proclaiming the value of trees and environmental protection, passing out saplings and seeds to all who are interested. The modern day Johnny Appleseed has received many awards and accolades for his efforts to promote environmental awareness and tree conservation - including recognition from the late Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao.

So far Ramaiah has given out more that one million plants, with a little luck he may surpass his goal.

Link: Green man who wants to plant 10 million trees from WebIndia123.com

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 10:47 AM

 


Getting to the Root of Tree Death

Category(-ies): Plant Discoveries , Plants in the Landscape

The life span of trees planted in our home and urban landscapes often falls far short of their typical natural duration. Linda Chalker-Scott of Washington State University thinks the primary reason that so many transplanted trees fail, is poor root development caused by improper but common planting methods. Through research and experience she has developed techniques to encourage healthy root development in transplanted trees and shrubs.

Continue reading "Getting to the Root of Tree Death"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 4:30 PM | Comments (0)

 


The Value of Shade Trees

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

Researchers at Ohio State University have been looking at the value of shade trees in urban environments. Studies at an experimental plot planted in the mid-sixties and projects that monitored 96 urban tree plantings yielded a wealth of valuable data on the horticultural requirements of shade trees.

A recent look at the city tree plantings raised awareness of the social and economic benefits that they can have. Scientists at the university have created the Next STEP program, to look at changes in issues such as quality of life and home values in areas with urban tree plantings. A new shade tree test plot is being designed for the program.

Link: Trees' effect on quality of life under review from the Akron Beacon Journal

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 10:27 AM | Comments (0)

 


Making the Garden Attractive to People and Wildlife

Category(-ies): Plant Relationships , Plants in the Landscape

Gardeners in the northern hemisphere will soon be busy with fall cleanup - trimming back all the dried plants and raking everything into the compost pile to make everything neat and tidy. It might be a good idea to allow a little mess in the garden this fall. As space for wildlife diminishes, animals and plants can be given a little space in home gardens.

Leaving dried seed heads on plants provides food for birds and other creatures during the winter. Leaving some leaves and twigs can provide habitat for creatures. The hardest part of doing this can be developing a new sense of aesthetics that allows for the beauty of nature's natural process of decay. It is not necessary to let the garden go wild, just allow a little space for nature.

Richard Burkmar comments on this.

Link: Gardening for Yourself from Space For Nature

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 7:57 AM

 


Managing Canada's Aging Urban Trees

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

In many cities across Cananda, trees planted when subdivisions were built are mature and nearing the end of their lifespans. In many neighborhoods all the trees were planted at the same time and are often all the same type. Urban forestry experts are concerned that if a replacement strategy is not developed, entire neghborhoods could lose their trees at one time, leaving the streets bare.

The non-governmental National Forest Strategy Coalition is urging that a coherent plan be developed to deal with the issue. The organization is preparing an inventory of the condition of Canada's urban forests to highlight the need for government funding and action to coordinate replanting efforts. Any strategy to manage urban forests must take the modern city environment into consideration and provide for the continued care of the trees.

Link: Aging Urban Forests Under Threat from CBC News

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 4:24 PM | Comments (0)

 


Moon Trees

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

Astronauts on Apollo missions were allowed to carry a small Personal Preference Kit, a small pouch in which they could carry along prized possessions of their choice. In his kit, outdoorsman Stuart Roosa decided to carry some seeds, which he obtained from the US Forest Service. After the return of the Apollo 14 spacecraft, the seeds (sycamore seeds) were germinated by researchers at various locations with differing environments.

Continue reading "Moon Trees"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 5:17 AM

 


India's Valley of Flowers Named World Heritage Site

Category(-ies): Plant Conservation , Plant Legal News and Issues , Plants in the Landscape

India's Valley of Flowers, unknown to westerners until the 1930's, has been named a World Heritage Site. The beautiful alpine valley is known for its carpet of wildflowers brought forth by the monsoons. The valley covers over 87.5 square kilometers at an altitude of between 3,250 and 6,750 metres above sea level within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, which was designated a World Heritage site in 1988. The area is home to several endangered animals and 521 varieties of flowering plants.

Years of work by forest service workers and local volunteers led by Indian Forest Service officer, Jyotsna Sitling helped to clean up and regenerate areas of the flower fields. Ms. Sitling submitted the request for heritage status with the Archeological Survey of India in 2004. World Heritage status was granted to the region in July 2005.

Links:

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 5:53 PM | Comments (3)

 


The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park

Category(-ies): Plant Conservation , Plants in the Landscape

In August leaders of three African nations will officially open the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, joining South Africa's Kruger National Park, Mozambique's Limpopo Park and Zimbabwe's Gonarezhou National Park. The new park will cover approximately 35,000 square kilometres and is the first step in the creation of a transfrontier conservation area that will cover 100,000 sq. km.

Continue reading "The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 4:31 PM

 


Guerrilla Gardening

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

Budget cuts in many cities have led to reduced budgets for parks and beautification projects. Residents of many urban areas are fed up with unsightly vacant land and unattended flowerbeds. Some urban nature lovers are so fed up that they have taken matters into their own hands. They have become guerrilla gardeners.

Continue reading "Guerrilla Gardening"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 6:33 PM | Comments (1)

 


Trends at Chelsea Flower Show 2005

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

The 83rd Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea flower show is underway. Arguably the most important horticultural event of the year, the flower show introduces gardeners to design trends and plant varieties on the cutting edge of new. Although the RHS does not set a theme for the show, common trends often surface among the garden designs.

Continue reading "Trends at Chelsea Flower Show 2005"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 5:12 PM

 


Drought Tolerant Plants for Shade Gardens

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

Gardens designed for low water use are becoming more popular. Population expansion in dry areas and water management issues have spurred the development of xeriscape gardens. Adding to the popularity of drought tolerant plants is the fact that they are easy to maintain. They survive with little fertilizer; nutrient needs can often be provided from an annual mulch of compost. Tough or hairy foliage that holds moisture also discourages pests.

Continue reading "Drought Tolerant Plants for Shade Gardens"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 4:27 PM

 


British Charities Encourage Gardeners to Support Wildlife

Category(-ies): Plant Conservation , Plant Relationships , Plants in the Landscape

The Royal Horticultural Society has launched a major appeal to fund efforts promoting biodiversity. It has teemed up with the Wildlife Trusts to create a project called Wild About Gardens, a program to help educate gardeners on practices that will foster wildlife. The RHS will study the distribution and ecology of wildlife found in its gardens to better understand how urban gardeners can encourage wildlife.

Continue reading "British Charities Encourage Gardeners to Support Wildlife"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 4:40 PM

 


Time Honoured Garden Favourites

Category(-ies): Plant Conservation , Plants in the Landscape

In recent decades gardeners have been inundated with choices made available to them by plant breeders. The old varieties of plants, grown by our grandparents, have become difficult to find, but heirlooms are making a come back. Adding a few heirloom plants (varieties that have been in cultivation for at least fifty years) can restore childhood memories.

Continue reading "Time Honoured Garden Favourites"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 3:44 PM

 


Daylilies - Beautiful and Delicious

Category(-ies): Novel Uses of Plants , Plants in the Landscape , Plants, Food and Medicine

Easy to grow with few pest problems, daylilies have become quite popular; so popular that some gardeners eschew them. If too common for the flowerbed, gardeners may want to plant some in the vegetable garden. All parts of Hemerocallis are edible. The Chinese have used the plant for food and medicine for centuries.

Continue reading "Daylilies - Beautiful and Delicious"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 4:56 PM

 


Poison Garden Created to Protect Children

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape , Plants, Food and Medicine

Having seen children brought into the emergency room after ingesting poisonous plants found in their houses and yards, Gloria Leifer, an associate professor of pediatric nursing at Riverside Community College decided to design a special garden to educate nursing students about dangerous plants commonly found around the home. The garden, started in 1998, serves as a teaching tool for the college and is popular with students from all fields of study

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Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 2:32 PM

 


Ozarks Botanical Garden Creates Educational Displays for the Backyard

Category(-ies): Other Botanical Gardens , Plants in the Landscape

The Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks announced plans to create nine diverse gardens, each measuring 2,000 square feet, to demonstrate creative possibilities that can be adapted to the average backyard landscape. The concept arose from questions received from newcomers to the area about which plants grow best in the local climate.

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Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 1:37 PM

 


Gardening for the Birds

Category(-ies): Plant Relationships , Plants in the Landscape

Although annual garden bird surveys in Wales seem to indicate declining populations in recent years, bird sightings in one neighbourhood are on the rise. Bird landings in one garden in Roath have tripled, since it's owners first began taking part in annual bird counts, in 1966. Residents of the neighbourhood attribute much of the population increase to the natural gardening methods that have been adopted in the area.

Continue reading "Gardening for the Birds"

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 2:48 PM

 


Drylandscope

Category(-ies): Climate Change , Plants in the Landscape , Sources of Botanical News

Drylands encompass about 40% of the earth's land surface. The fragile ecosystems that have developed in these areas, characterized by low annual rainfall and low soil fertility, are particularly prone to degradation. For the people living in these regions sustainable land and water use policies are essential to survival.

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Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 3:18 PM

 


All-America Selections - Winners in the Garden

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

The 2005 All-America Selections Flower Award Winners are Gaillardia aristata 'Arizona Sun', Vinca 'First Kiss Blueberry', and Zinnia F1 'Magellan Coral'. Vegetable Awards went to Eggplant F1 'Fairy Tale', Winter Squash F1 'Bonbon', and the delectable Tomato F1 'Sugary'. These new garden introductions have been chosen for their superior performance in side-by-side comparison trials.

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Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 4:58 PM

 


Landscaping with Native Plants Conference

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

A two day scientific conference, Landscaping with Native Plants: Exploring the Environmental, Social, and Economic Benefits, will be held in Chicago, December 6-7, 2004. “This conference will help define what is known about the benefits of native landscaping, will identify key gaps in our current knowledge and will define future research priorities.”

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Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 6:58 PM

 


Trees are Good

Category(-ies): Botanical Resources , Plants in the Landscape

Billed as the “the largest and most influential arboricultural organization in the world”, the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) has created a website to provide quality information about arboriculture to the general public: Trees are Good.

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Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 11:59 AM

 


Thinking of Topping Trees?

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

PlantAmnesty is a non-profit organization based out of Seattle whose mission is “to end the senseless torture and mutilation of trees and shrubs.” They attribute the success of getting out their message to “outspoken style, combining humor and controversy around a subject as dull as landscape maintenance.”

Continue reading "Thinking of Topping Trees?"

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 1:00 AM

 


Ginkgos removed due to stench

Category(-ies): Plants in the Landscape

USA Today reports that the University of Iowa is removing several mature Ginkgo biloba trees, partly because of the stench caused by the fruit.

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Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 10:48 PM