History of Gardens

The History of Gardens by Christopher Thacker is a classic resource for learning about garden history.  It is published by University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles (reprinted in 1997). Dr. Thacker traces three thousand years of garden history, from Eden and natural places; to Chinese, Japanese, and Islamic gardens; to European formal and naturalistic gardens; to modern gardens.

We used this book as a text in the History of Gardening class I attended at Merritt College in Oakland. Our instructor guided us through its pages, and brought the book to life with stimulating discussions. We learned about paradise gardens, garden symbolism, utilitarian gardens, walled gardens, royal and status gardens, hydraulics in the garden, botanical gardens, plant discoveries, private gardens, and eclectic gardens. The book is well illustrated with photos, drawings, and pictures that reinforce its concepts and illustrate its ideas.

I was especially interested to see how garden design is influenced by the social and political thought of the day; as well as discoveries and technology. Some of these ideas have been foundational as I pursue my own discovery of gardening and gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area. There is much more at play than simply an individual garden. If you are interested in learning more about garden history, this is a great place to start.

The New Batman (Batgirl and Poison Ivy)

This is our last movie in our winter series where plants have a starring role. This time it is the animated television series The New Batman Adventures, with special focus on Poison Ivy and Batgirl. In multiple episodes, we learn of the friendship between Commissioner Gordon’s daughter, Barbara Gordon, and Pamela Isley, and the separate paths they take. Both redheads are interested in saving plants and join up to protest against Chlorogene Corporation’s practice of dumping chemicals used to super mulch vegetables.

Pamela takes an extreme approach, manipulating a thug named Temblar to sabotage the corporate headquarters. In the process she is exposed to chemicals and her DNA is altered. Poison Ivy emerges, with super abilities including mind control, and control over the plant world. She becomes an eco-terrorist, using carnivorous plants and fast growing vines as weapons. Even Batman is powerless against her tactics. Luckily Batgirl is able to liberate Batman and gain his acceptance as a side kick, and to rescue her father the Commissioner from a carnivorous plant. Great fun - enjoy the animation!

• Part One (1/2)
• Part Two (2/2)

Over the last month we have taken a look at a few movies where plants play a key role. We have seen bio-engineered security plants, killer tomatoes, carnivorous plants that eat humans, and an eco-terrorist that has control over the plant world. Part of our goal was to have some fun in the dark days of January. Now, the days are getting longer, and it’s almost time to plan this year’s vegetable garden. I recommend heirloom seeds, to avoid some of the mayhem we have seen in the movies!

Back to School – Tree ID

Well, tonight I’m heading back to Merritt College to resume work on my Landscape Horticulture certificate. Merritt offers a great program in Landscape Horticulture – including a certificate program, with several different emphases, and a new AA degree. Over the last four years I have been taking classes for the basic certificate. I took a year off to pursue my own research and writing, and to wait for the classes I need to complete the certificate.

This semester I’m taking the Tree ID class, which focuses on trees used in San Francisco Bay Area landscaping. I’ll be learning about native trees and Mediterranean trees that do well in our mild climate. Plant ID courses require lots of memorization, which is daunting at a certain age. But, I managed to survive the Mediterranean Plant ID course a couple years ago, so I’m ready for the challenge. Plus, it is probably good for my brain to learn 150 trees (give or take) in a four month period.

What is the Latin name for these pepper berry street trees?
Pretty soon, I'll be able to tell you!
Answer: Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistache).

I plan to keep blogging during the semester, but if I miss some posts, you’ll know why. Think of me, I’ll probably be studying a list of Latin plant names, and trying to identify them in a plant photo lineup!

Plant Identification Keys

A plant identification key can be a useful tool for identifying plants. I am most familiar with a single-access, or dichotomous key, which focuses on physical characteristics  such as leaves or flowers, and provides a series of decision points for eliminating plant categories, and proceeding to possible categories. The plant kingdom is large, so categorization helps.

This example from Wikipedia’s article on single-access keys uses eastern oaks as the category (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichotomous_key):

Sample dichotomous key. In 1, identify the general shape of the leaf.
Based on that decision, go to either 2 or 5.
Finally, you are referred to a possible tree name, such as 6. 

Other types of plant identification key include:

• Picture key. Several of my books for identifying desert flowers categorize flowers by color. To identify a blue flower, for example, you navigate to the blue section, and flip through the pictures to find matches, including Parish Larkspur, Smoke Tree, and Indigo Bush.
• Morphology key. Yet another type of plant identification key uses plant and flower morphology to identify plants. I haven’t worked with this approach yet, but as I learn more this may be a more accurate approach.
• Random access (or multi-access) key. For a mystery plant, a database search engine might be the best option, like this one from the Burke Museum of Natural History associated with the University of Washington Herbarium: http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Page=plantkey.php. You supply as much information or knowledge as you can, and the program searches its database for possible matches.

Little Shop of Horrors

This week’s movie is the 1960 version of the dark comedy Little Shop of Horrors, thought to be based on the short story “Green Thoughts” written by John Collier in 1932. The film was directed by Roger Corman, and written by Charles B. Griffith. A very young Jack Nicholson plays the role of the masochistic dental patient.

The story takes place on skid row in Los Angeles, primarily in the run down and struggling Mushnick Flower Shop. People are disappearing in the neighborhood, and the authorities are investigating. One of the flower shop employees is Seymour Krelboyne, who is an aspiring botanist. He crossbreeds a Venus Flytrap and butterwort to produce a hybrid named Audrey Jr. (in honor of his love interest, Audrey, who also works at the flower shop). Seymour soon discovers that his hybrid only eats human flesh. With each meal, the plant grows bigger and smarter, and is able to speak, demanding more and more food. To watch the movie: http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi713660441/.

Both Venus Flytrap and butterwort are carnivorous plants. The Venus fly trap (Dionaea spp) is in the Droseraceae family. They grow in nitrogen- and phosphorous-poor soil, and are native to North and South Carolina in the United States. They trap beetles, spiders, and arthropods, and during digestion extract the nutrients they need to create protein. Butterworts (Pinguicula spp) are in the Lentibulariaceae family. They also grow in nutrient-poor soil, and are native to Europe, the Americas, and Northern Asia. Their sticky, glandular leaves lure and trap insects, and extract nutrients during digestion. Good to know they are more interested in insects than human flesh!

Plant Identification Terminology

Every discipline has its jargon, which provides a common language for understanding and communicating. Botany is no exception. In order to identify a plant, you must be able to observe and describe it. Trees, shrubs, vines, and plants are similar in that they typically have some sort of root, stem, leaf, inflorescence or flower, and fruit; but the variations and combinations are vast. Botanical terms provide the language for observation and plant identification, but, as with other disciplines, there are differences in interpretation and historical usage.

I frequently turn to Plant Identification Terminology An Illustrated Glossary by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, published by Spring Lake Publishing, Utah (second edition, 2001). The book includes a glossary of about 2400 terms and supporting illustrations, and is divided into two parts. Part one is an alphabetical glossary of the terms; part two is organized into categories: roots, stems, leaves, surfaces, inflorescences, flowers, and fruits. The leaves section alone spans 17 pages, with descriptions of leaf parts, shapes, bases, apices, division, venation, margins, attachment, and arrangement. To get the full picture you need to delve into the surfaces section, which spans another 9 pages. And leaves are easy compared with flowers and inflorescences!

The general shape of the Camellia leaf is obovate, with an apiculate tip, lustrous surface, and crenulate margin.	The hydrangea leaf is similar in shape and margin, but the surface is lighter green, and the veination pattern differs.
Black pine needles are a leaf variation.	Sedge leaves resembles scales.
The lacy configuration of this fern is described as bipinnate - with the divisions also pinnately divided.	This shrub has a similar bipinnate configuration, but completely different leaf structure.
This Japanese maple has a palmate structure, with dissected leaf tips.	Contrast with this Japanese maple's palmate structure.
The leaves are lobed, and the thorns are a leaf variation.	Leaf, thorn, and berry configuration of the Washington thorn bush.
The leaves are oval with a distinctive veination pattern. Leaves are alternate.	 These leaves have more of a lanceolate shape, also in an alternate pattern.
The leaves of this plant grow in a whorl, with solitary inflorescence.	The azalea leaves also grow in a whorl, with the flower in its center.

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I can look to my own small garden to see the diversity of plants, and practice the art and science of describing plants. As I learn more, I'm sure my descriptions will change and become more precise. In the meantime, the exercise forces me to really look at a plant and its parts, and stretch my descriptive vocabulary.

Houseplant for Brown Thumbs

My husband and I have kept several houseplants alive for over 30 years. The plants grow as vines that resemble philodendrons, and are called Pothos (or Devil’s Ivy). He purchased several starter plants to brighten up his college dorm room. After we married, the plants stayed with us through multiple moves, our son and his friends, busy schedules, and different seasons of life. The plants continue to thrive, despite periods of neglect. Now I typically water every two to four weeks depending on the season; fertilize once a month; and give the plants an outdoor “spa” break when the San Francisco Bay Area weather turns warm in August and September.

Pothos vines, here cropped short, catch light and
shadow, and add some life to the room.

I’ve propagated many starter plants from the originals – by placing cuttings in water until they root, then planting them in potting soil. One of these starter plants is on my desk at work, which is a nice reminder of home while I’m away. Others have ended up on co-worker’s desks. I typically keep the vines pruned short to encourage a full, bushy look, but many people like to train the vine along a wall or window. The vines also do well in a hanging basket. Either way, it is a pleasure to grow a living plant in the home or office.

Epipremnum aureum is in the Araceae family and originates in tropical Southeast Asia. This small genus of climbing vines does well in bright to low light, and grows up to 40 feet long in nature. The soil should dry out between waterings, and, according to Taylor’s Guide to Houseplants, should only be fertilized two or three times a year. The leaves are ovate-cordate with petioles, glossy, bright green, and irregularly splotched in yellow or white. Flowers are produced in a spade (though ours have never flowered). Aerial roots cling to surfaces and provide stability. The plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and children, and may become invasive if introduced into the wild in a non-native environment. Despite these hazards, they are an excellent houseplant in many situations

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

This month we’re taking a look at movies where plants are the stars. This time it is Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, which “premiered” in 1978. In the film, incidents of pets and people being eaten by tomatoes have been reported. Yes, tomatoes. That fruit that we grow in the summer, add to our salads, and use to make marinara sauce.

Luckily, a special government task force, lead by Mason Dixon, is set up to investigate the reports. He and his quirky team go to work to investigate the tomatoes causing the mayhem. Turns out, the tomatoes are mutations that are part of a plot by the Press Secretary to take over the world. Luckily, the team discovers how to combat the mutant tomatoes – playing the song “Puberty Love” which is featured in the movie.

If you haven’t seen this film, you probably like quality movies. This is one of those B-movies that has become a cult classic, and even spawned several sequels, such as Killer Tomatoes Strike Back. Hey – it’s January. Even without production values, you might chuckle over the docile killer tomatoes in this movie, while waiting to plant your own tomatoes in the spring. Warning: many tomatoes gave their lives in the filming of this movie!

Indoor Gardening - Houseplants

Houseplants provide a perfect diversion for the weather-bound gardener waiting for spring. They provide a living, decorative touch to a home, or office setting. "Houseplants" is a descriptive category not a botanical one; houseplants span many, diverse plant families. Some houseplants are tropical or subtropical plants from the jungle, and adapted to a darker, low- or filtered-light environment. Others, such as cactus and succulents, require lots of bright light, but not much water or tending. Still others, such as orchids and ferns, require warmth, filtered light, and humidity.

A houseplant livens up an office waiting area.

The trick for the indoor gardener is to recognize a plant’s origins, and find the ideal indoor placement for the plant; or, choose a plant that will thrive in the indoor environment in which you plan to place it. In some cases, you may need to alter the environment slightly, for example, you may need to periodically mist a plant that requires high humidity using a spray bottle.

A great book for learning about houseplants is Taylor’s Guide to Houseplants, which is based on Taylor’s Encyclopedia of Gardening, published by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. in 1987. The book describes the light, temperature, and humidity requirements for 320 houseplants; provides pictures and drawings of the plants; identifies how difficult they are to maintain (I like the “Easy to grow” category); and provides cultivation and propagation tips. The book provides the scientific name, as well as common names, which is useful when locating plants for purchase. Armed with a little knowledge, many indoor gardeners may find their thumb is not so brown after all!

Forcing Hyacinth Bulbs

Hyacinths are another bulb that can easily be forced to bloom early, providing a cheery indoor display for winter. Blossoms may be blue, pink, white, yellow, or red; they resemble Muscari (Grape Hyacinth) in shape, but are a different genus. Since all the nutrients needed to bloom are in the bulb, they do not need to be planted in potting soil for forcing. They can be grown in a container of glass marbles, or in special bulb vases.

A collection of hyacinths in glass bulb vases
on the kitchen window sill. The bulb vases
provide ample room for healthy roots.

Hyacinthus spp. are in the Liliaceae family, and native to the Mediterranean region, Asia Minor, and Syria. The hyacinth is a perennial bulbous herb that is tunicate, and typically planted in October for spring blooming. Forced hyacinths bulbs are rooted in a cool, dark place, and then brought inside to bloom. Alternatively, purchase the bulbs in fall and keep in the refrigerator for four to six weeks. This simulates the cold temperatures needed for encouraging the bulb to bloom early, once they are brought inside.

Winter Movies: Minority Report

After the fun and flurry of the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s celebrations, January can seem pretty quiet. The days are long and dark. The garden appears dormant. Spring is still a few months off. It's a great time to head back to the movies, for more movie star plants.

First up is Minority Report, a futuristic crime thriller, loosely based on the short story by Philip K. Dick. In the movie, crimes of passion have been eliminated in 2054 Washington, D.C., because of an experimental program that uses three specially gifted human “Pre-Cogs” who can see crimes that will be committed in the future. The drama unfolds as the Pre-Cogs predict that John Anderton, head of the Pre-Crime unit that acts on these predictions, will himself commit a murder. The short story and movie both wrestle with freewill and determinism. Can someone be held accountable for a thought? Will a person take a predetermined action based on a thought, or might they take alternative action? The 2002 movie adds a lot of fun, futuristic gadgetry to the bigger questions.

I’m picking this movie for the genetically engineered security plants, and the greenhouse scene between Anderton and Dr. Iris Hineman, one of the brilliant, but deranged, scientists for the project. The plants have a very minor supporting role, and are not included in Dick’s original story. But I enjoyed the imagination behind the motion-activated vines that can ensnare unwary victims; the menacing Doll’s Eye hybrid (based on Actaea pachypoda  - White Baneberry) that can slash skin and deliver a toxin that renders paralysis and death, unless an antidote is quickly given; and the carnivorous plants that seem to caress Dr. Hineman’s face as she tends them. Learn more:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181689/synopsis

Forcing Tulip Bulbs

I received a dozen tulip bulbs from my aunt one Christmas, and enjoyed watching them bloom indoors during the dark days of January. The dozen red and white tulips came planted in a cheery red tin container and finished with moss. Watching the stalks grow and flowers unfurl definitely brightened the winter days.

Red and white tulips in January.

Tulips originated in the old world, especially central Asia. Most of the tulips known today are hybrids, created by European gardeners starting in the 1600s from tulips imported from Turkey (but thought to have originated in southern Russia). Tulips have been commercially grown in the Netherlands for centuries, and have become part of the country’s national identity. Tulip history includes an economic bubble—called Tulip Mania—where speculative prices in the Netherlands spiked in February 1637. According to Wikipedia, some single tulip bulbs sold “for more than 10 times the annual income of a skilled craftsman.” After the inevitable crash, bulbs continued to be grown and sold around the world.

Tulipa spp. are in the Liliaceae family (the lily family), and the Lilioideae subfamily. The tulip is a perennial bulbous plant, with bright flowers in many colors including red, pink, orange, purple, yellow, and white. The bulb is tunicate, and typically planted in October for spring blooms. Forced tulip bulbs are rooted in a cool, dark place, then brought inside to bloom. Commercial growers frequently sell bulbs for forcing during November, December, and January. Deer love to eat tulips in the San Francisco Bay Area, so forcing them indoors has its advantages.

Looking Ahead to 2012

Happy New Year! A fresh year stretches ahead – 366 days of work and play, exploration and learning, family and friends, projects and experiments, travels and excursions, and gardens! Hopefully with plenty of personal growth, insights, creativity, challenges, and focus added to the mix.

Looking ahead, I’m not setting New Year’s Resolutions, but I am charting out some of my gardening-goals for 2012:

• Identify more San Francisco Bay Area native trees and plants, and continue to study plant communities and nature.
• Visit more local botanical gardens, regional parks, and estate gardens.
• Study early garden history – from ancient times to the Renaissance.
• Continue to experiment with my vegetable garden.
• Travel to other climate zones to learn about their flora, fauna, and geology, and compare and contrast with the Bay Area.

Explore - visit new places.	Experiment - find solutions.
Enjoy - beautiful plants.	Educate - learn and teach.

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Hope you will join me on this quest!