May/June 2000

An Inside Look

Blueberries, especially in the form of a cobbler, are divine food to me, ranking just under damson plum as the taste and color of choice. Thinking about the origins of cultivated blueberries reminds me of one of the principles that I have been trained to appreciate: Progress in the breeding of horticultural plants can be made only when a need-as stated by gardeners and farmers-is combined with the best principles of plant science. 

As a research horticulturist for 37 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), I know how important basic and applied research is to development of better plants. In this issue, Rick Darke's article about Elizabeth Coleman White reveals how this remarkable woman's deep understanding of the ecology and natural history of the New Jersey Pine Barrens translated into a sensitivity to its potential for both edible and ornamental plants. 

White, who grew up in the pine barrens and made her home and garden there, collaborated with Frederick V. Corville, a USDA botanist, to develop the first commercial-grade blueberries in 1916. Their work sparked a lucrative summer industry for New Jersey that supplemented the fall cranberry crop. From New Jersey, follow Rand B. Lee as he describes the joys of beautiful but little-known annuals native to a wide variety of habitats throughout North America. 

If you garden on the wild side, you'll find plenty of new plants to experiment with. Wisterias are among the most cherished of garden plants, but in the wrong place the Asian species can be difficult to control. Thanks to the efforts of enterprising nursery owners and breeders, however, a number of American species and cultivars are now available. 

Dick Bir profiles these less aggressive plants, which are better suited to smaller gardens. Gardens should be enjoyed by all. But challenging garden sites are sometimes inaccessible to part of our population. Adele Kleine tells us about the Buehler Enabling Garden in Chicago, a new garden designed to address inclusiveness in public gardens, and which offers ideas for adaptation in home landscapes. 

In a similar vein, our Millenium Focus-"Maturity in the Garden"-encourages you to re-evaluate your gardening practices, plants, and tools to meet the evolution of your garden and your own changing needs and interests. Dedicated gardeners and horticulturists such as White and Coville have helped expand our knowledge and the range of plants available to us. 

Our mission at AHS is to keep you abreast of horticultural achievements and research, while at the same time showing how this scientific knowledge can be artistically translated into the garden. Our ultimate goal is to help you become even more successful gardeners in the new millennium.

H. Marc Cathey