An inside Look

As we move into the new millennium, one of the top gardening trends is a rising appreciation for naturalistic gardens that are in keeping with the “wild” landscapes around us. For this we can probably thank Lady Bird Johnson and her ongoing support of wildflowers and natural areas. To meet this interest in naturalistic gardening, we are debuting a new department this year, titled “Habitat Gardening.” The first installment of this new department is a feature-length article in this issue that explores how gardeners can create diverse habitats for wildlife at transition zones between lawns and woodland.

My grandmother, Miss Nannie, had acres of her own pastures and bordering woodlands that she managed for 50 years by a quick jerk—when the ground was moist—or a chop with her mattock for deeper-rooted plants. I learned much of my early botany during rambles through this area, which bore few signs of Miss Nannie’s gentle touch. The habitat supported a variety of wildlife, including birds, chipmunks, and squirrels, that shared with us the harvests of wild berries, persimmons, passionflowers, and pawpaws. There Miss Nannie also sought out culinary and medicinal plants that she used for hair dyes, teas, and controlling upset stomachs. Her secret weapon was Friday, a little Jersey cow that helped keep weedy areas in check. In addition, its manure was the booster for Miss Nannie’s compost piles.

Looking ahead to the AHS Annual Meeting in Houston this coming March, we profile Peckerwood Gardens, a private garden in Hempstead, Texas, that achieves a unique synthesis of art, horticulture, and conservation. This acclaimed garden is one of many outstanding tour stops scheduled during the meeting.

Also in this issue is a detailed profile of hardy gingers (Asarum spp.), those subtle woodland wildflowers native to North America, Europe, and Asia; an article on how to use contrasting and complementary plant shapes in designing mixed borders; and a photographic essay on plants that brighten a winter greenhouse with their foliage and flowers.

Our special millennium Focus section explores how the Internet is changing the way gardeners find resources and share information. Had Miss Nannie lived a few decades later, I’m sure that one of her five sons and four daughters would have introduced her to the electronic age. She wanted to know what was happening with her family: Education, gardening, and patriotism were our family’s goals. Now let us make them the AHS goals in the 21st century.