JBS-L Archives

- JBS-L - Josselyn Botanical Society discussion list of the University of Maine

JBS-L@LISTS.MAINE.EDU

Options: Use Forum View

Use Proportional Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Rick Speer <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
- JBS-L - Josselyn Botanical Society discussion list of the University of Maine <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:13:26 -0500
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (112 lines)
Sorry, I just realized that the JBS e-list won't let me forward
information.  Here's the detail from Debra Strick at NEWFS:
 
I'm delighted to announce that the 2008 Native Seed Catalog of New
England Wild Flower Society arrives online January 7, 2008.  William
Cullina shares some of his favorites in the writeup below. Visit the
article online at our new website at
http://www.newfs.org/press/press-releases/2007-releases-psas/go-green-with-new-england-wild-flower-society-seeds.html/
I have high resolution images available, or watch for the seed image
gallery coming soon. 
 
 As you may know, the publication date of Bill's new book, Native
Ferns, Moss & Grasses, published by Houghton Mifflin,  the third in the
Society's reference series is February 19, and he'll be doing a
booksigning here at Garden in the Woods on March 9, 2008. If you may
have an opportunity  to publish a book review do let me know, and I may
be able to arrange for a bound galley.  Thanks in advance for helping to
share the information. 
 

 
Go GREEN with New England Wild Flower Society Seeds
 
 Framingham, Massachusetts   Are you looking for a beautiful way to GO
GREEN?  Growing native plants is a key element to greener landscape
practice. Join New England Wild Flower Society and get first choice of
rare and wonderful native seeds.  Purchase seeds and spores collected
and prepared at the Society*s Garden in the Woods in Framingham and
Nasami Farm in Whately, MA. A member priority order period runs January
7-17, 2008, and sales open to the public January 18-March 15, 2008,
while supplies last.   Orders are filled on a first-come basis.  To
ensure the best selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns, and
grasses, especially if you have your heart set on rare species, become a
member of the Society and also enjoy up to fifty percent off the price
of seeds.   You can join online at www.newenglandwild.org. or contact
Karen Pierce at [log in to unmask]  Your membership and
purchases support the award-winning programs of America*s oldest plant
conservation organization, and members also receive discounts on nursery
plant purchases, gifts, books, and classes, and free admission to Garden
in the Woods throughout the season.   
 
Contrary to popular belief, many wildflowers and woody native plants
are easily grown from seed.  These ecologically collected and prepared
species will help you beautify your garden and incorporate ecological
practice at the same time. Many are unavailable anywhere else in the
trade. View hundreds of species of native plants and their seeds and
spores featured in the new 2008 wildflower seed catalog at
www.newenglandwild.org, January through March. William (Bill)
Cullina, author and Horticultural Research Director of the Society,
provides many interesting ideas in the online catalog.  Here are some of
his seed favorites for 2008: 
 
Liatris ligulistylis (meadow blazing star) * Time and time again this
easy, summer-blooming meadow or border perennial proves its amazing
ability to attract monarch butterflies.  It is almost as if the lavender
purple button flowers exude a butterfly pheromone that lures the freshly
minted insects to them as soon as their wings are dry.  Customers in the
Garden in the Woods and Nasami Farm sales areas have even had monarchs
follow them into their cars as they tried to leave with a few of the
blooming plants.  This is a good beginner species to grow from seed,
often blooming the first summer at its full 3 foot height.
Rhododendron atlanticum (coast azalea) * Coast azalea is one of the
earlier of our many native species to flower.  The trumpet-shaped
flowers are a blend of white and shell pink, and they release a 
captivatingly sweet perfume that makes me want to stoop over for a
closer whiff.  Even if you are of               
diminutive stature, you will find yourself bending over too when this
deciduous shrub is in bloom, for it only grows to three feet or so.  The
battleship blue leaves are an attractive addition that along with its
compact habit makes this a worthy addition to foundation plantings and
mixed borders.  The seed germinates quickly upon sowing in a warm,
bright location.
 
Stewartia ovata var. grandiflora (mountain camellia) * I first saw this
stunning and relatively rare small tree when I lived in North Carolina. 
A close relative of the Asian Stewartias that grace many gardens, this
variety of the Southern Appalachian species has especially large and
luminous blooms.  The flower buds form in summer and seem to take
forever to finally open.  When they do, they reveal a rich white,
camellia-like bloom with a thick central tuft of anthers.  Typically,
this tuft is golden in color, but in rare individuals it is tinted the
most beautiful shade of ultraviolet.  Fall color is a rich red and
orange on this 10-15 foot understory tree.  The seed offered is from a
mixed population of golden and violet individuals from the mountains of
Tennessee.  This is a slow species to germinate, but well worth the
effort as it is virtually unavailable in the trade.
 
Trillium flexipes (upright form) (bent trillium) * The flowers of this
extremely robust trillium look similar to showy trillium but they are of
thicker substance and perch above the leaf like big white pyramids. The
leaf rises to over 20 inches on a stiff stem, its three leaflets
overlapping to form a 12 inch green saucer to set of the bloom.  It is
one of the best garden trilliums as it holds its own with many other
woodland wildflowers in mixed plantings.  Like all trilliums, this plant
requires patience to raise from seed.
 
In addition to the detailed advice William Cullina provides at the
online seed catalog, you can order New England Wild Flower Society's
Guide to Wildflowers, and the Guide to Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines,
both by William Cullina, online at www.newenglandwild.org. You can also
pre-order a signed copy of the new Ferns, Moss & Grasses. Do you prefer
to start your garden with nursery plants?  Check the availability list
online and plan your pre-orders. Volume orders (with a minimum of $500)
are accepted in advance of opening day and receive a twenty percent
discount. Contact the Society at [log in to unmask] for details. 
View and purchase plants at Garden in the Woods in Framingham
Massachusetts beginning April 15, 2008   and at Nasami Farm in Whately,
Massachusetts on Spring weekends, Thursday-Sunday, beginning April 24,
2008.   
 
-END-

ATOM RSS1 RSS2