Our Summer Reading List

Ready to delve into a good book? Morris Arboretum staffers are an enthusiastic group of readers and have offered up some great book suggestions. As a bonus, we're even sharing our favorite spots in the garden to get lost in the pages!

Our Summer Garden Reading List

• American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation by Erik Rutkow
  This fascinating and groundbreaking book tells the remarkable story of the relationship between Americans and their trees across the entire span of our nation's history, perfect for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
  Where to read it: The cozy benches at the Orange Balustrade where you can listen to the sounds of water trickling through the rocks as you turn the pages.
   
• Sting in the Tale: My Adventures with Bumblebees by Dave Goulson
  Goulson, an English scientist with a passion for bees, a wonderful sense of humor and a great knack for making science accessible.
  Where to read it: Lydia's Seat (Adjacent to the Rock Wall). Get lost in this read while watching the bees busy in the Rose Garden.
   
• The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
  A glorious, sweeping novel of desire, ambition, and the thirst for knowledge, from the New York Times bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love.
  Where to read it: The benches outside our Victorian glasshouse Fernery, which makes the perfect backdrop for this period story.
   
• The Brother Gardeners: A Generation of Gentlemen Naturalists and the Birth of an Obsession by Andrea Wulf
  Bringing to life the science and adventure of eighteenth-century plant collecting, The Brother Gardeners is the story of how six men created the modern garden and changed the horticultural world in the process. It is a story of a garden revolution that began in America.
  Where to read it: Grab a seat in one of the Adirondack chairs around the swan pond for this fascinating tale.
   
• Chasing the Rose: An Adventure in the Venetian Countryside by Andrea Di Robilant
  What starts out as a lighthearted quest becomes a meaningful journey as di Robilant contemplates the enduring beauty of what is passed down to us in a rose, through both the generosity of nature and the cultivating hand of human beings, who for centuries have embraced and extended the life of this mysterious flower.
  Where to read it: The Rose Garden, of course! Bonus: This book is available for purchase at our Visitor Center Shop.

3 Shade Trees for Small Spaces

Magnolia stellata – star magnolia

Magnolia virginiana (sweetbay magnolia)

Stewartia psuedocamellia (Japanese stewartia)

Nothing beats sitting under a spreading shade tree on a lazy summer day, enjoying something fresh from the garden, or an ice-cold drink. Many of us do not have the space for a full-size shade tree, or prefer not to have a large tree by the patio or close to the house. But, do not worry, there are plenty of options of small to medium-sized trees that fit the bill of providing shade in the garden, while also being in scale with smaller spaces, and not overwhelming the area in which they are planted.

By medium-sized trees, I am referring to trees that grow to between 15-25 feet within approximately 20 years. Think of these as plants that grow to between one and two stories tall, and you can get a sense of how they might work in your landscape.

With so many options to choose from, it is hard to pick just a few. Here are three to get you started:

1. Magnolia stellata – star magnolia: native to Japan, it is one of the earliest magnolias to flower, with bright white flowers in late March and early April.
2. Magnolia virginiana (sweetbay magnolia): one of the most adaptable magnolias, of all of the trees on this list, it is probably the best for urban conditions or heavy soils. Sweetbay is notable for its small, but fragrant, flowers in mid-June. Some varieties (M. virginiana var. australis) such as ‘Milton’, ‘Henry Hicks’, and ‘Green Bay’ are evergreen, holding their leaves throughout the winter.
3. Stewartia psuedocamellia (Japanese stewartia): is probably the most finicky plant on this list, and one that prefers a rich, well drained soil, high in organic matter. However, this is a plant that rewards throughout the year, with beautiful exfoliating bark, early summer flowers, and fantastic fall color. If you can grow this plant, it is one of the best to have in the garden.

Happy planting, and sit back and enjoy for years to come.


For even more small tree suggestions and information, join our new tour on Saturdays (June 13, 20, 27), Small Trees For Small Spaces.

Article contributed by Anthony Aiello - The Gayle E. Maloney Director of Horticulture & Curator, Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
Photos: Paul W. Meyer

The Right Plant in the Right Place

Hostas (several varieties pictured behind bench) thrive in partial shade.

  

Astilbe

Coleus

Does all the fresh new growth and color of spring have you inspired to plant something?

Whether you are creating a new garden or want to add additional plants to an existing one keep in mind if the place is right for the plant. We all have our favorites and want them in our gardens, however we can be very disappointed in the results if not planted in the proper environment it requires. Most of us know about full sun, part shade or full shade, but many plants love hot dry conditions or kept cool and moist or hate wet feet. When shopping for plants know where you plan to plant them and the conditions of the area.


Color for Shade
Colorful plants in shady spots are always difficult. Try hosta, which comes in blues, greens and stripes. Coleus is a wonderful plant for color in a shady spot and lots of variety. Try the large Kong coleus for a dramatic effect. Astilbe is an old favorite that thrives in partial shade and packs a colorful punch.


The Right Plant in the Right Place will help you have the garden you dream of become a reality. Happy planting!


Pick up the perfect plants for your backyard at our Annual Plant Sale, May 8 (Members Only) and 9 (Public). Our knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer all your garden questions!



Article contributed by Susan J. Choma, Certified Master Gardener

Rejuvenative Pruning of Mature Shrubs

by Anthony S. Aiello, The Gayle E. Maloney Director of Horticulture and Curator

If you are like me, you never have enough time to accomplish all of your gardening tasks throughout the year, and eventually those well-behaved shrubs in your garden grow beyond their desired size and start to crowd other plants in the garden. The beauty of growing and pruning deciduous shrubs is that they can be maintained at a desired size through rejuvenative pruning.

The first thing to keep in mind when pruning shrubs is to have the proper (and properly sharpened) tools. These will include a good pair of hand pruners, a pair of loppers, and a hand saw. When it comes to hand pruners, I prefer a good pair of bypass, or scissor pruners, that make smoother and cleaner cuts than anvil type pruners. There are a range of pruning saws available, and again the most important aspect is to have a saw that is specifically designed for pruning and is fitted with a good, sharp blade.

The second most important aspect of pruning is appropriate timing, and this is based on when the plant flowers. Spring flowering shrubs are those that flower before June 15th. These plants set their flower buds on new growth in the previous growing season, and so they should be pruned soon after they flower. Examples of spring flowering shrubs include lilacs, azaleas, and forsythia. Summer flowering shrubs are those that flower after June 15th and set their flowers on new growth formed during the same season. This group includes chastetree (Vitex), bluebeard (Caryopteris), and crape myrtle and these can be pruned in spring, before flowering.

There are many different methods and techniques of shrub pruning, but most overgrown shrubs can be completely rejuvenated in two to three years. The first step is to remove any dead or crossing shoots; after this, prune out approximately one-third of the oldest shoots at the ground. Remove overhanging branches that shade out the lower portions of the plant and tip-back any leggy young shoots. If you repeat this process for three consecutive years, you will have completely rejuvenated your shrub, with the end result being a more robust, healthier, and floriferous plant.

So start thinking now about which of your shrubs could use some pruning this spring, and don’t worry when it comes time to get started. The beauty of shrubs is that they are a lot like dogs – they are very forgiving and they always come back with enthusiasm.


To learn more about pruning, join one of our upcoming horticulture classes.

3 Steps to Big Beautiful Roses

1. Prune! Now's the time to start pruning your repeat-blooming roses: hybrid teas, floribundas, and modern shrub roses. An easy rule of thumb is "Prune when the forsythia bloom." If you have species or old garden roses, wait until after flowering to prune, or else you'll cut off their spring blooms.
2. Feed After pruning your roses, give them a boost with organic fertilizers. Compost, manure, blood meal, kelp meal, and fish emulsion are just some of the great nutrient sources your roses need for big, beautiful blooms.
3. Deadhead After your roses have started to bloom, keep up on deadheading to keep your repeat-flowering roses looking great and blooming all season long.

Want your roses to be the envy of the neighborhood? 
Join our upcoming class, Rose Pruning Basics, for even more great tips! Register Now