May/June 2003 - Volume 82, Number 3

The following is a table of contents of the articles that appear in the May/June 2003 issue of The American Gardener.  Links have been established to each article.  However, many articles are only accessible to American Horticultural Society (AHS) members . When you click on these links, a challenge will appear for a username (ahs) and password that AHS members can use to view these articles. Non-members are encouraged to join AHS to be able to enjoy each of these articles and the many other benefits of AHS membership.

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Features

• SPECIAL PHOTO ESSAY - Washington Blooms! 2003*
  Scenes from AHS’s first Washington Blooms! spring celebration.
   

• 10 Great Small Native Trees by Carole Ottesen
  Small flowering trees that offer multi-season interest are a must for today’s smaller gardens. Here are some top choices native to various regions of North America.
   

• EXCLUSIVE! The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map*  by David J. Ellis
  The updated USDA hardiness map reveals warmer zones for many gardeners and new zones for the subtropical regions. Here’s an introduction to the new map and guidelines for using it in combination with the AHS Plant Heat Zone map.
   

• West Nile Virus* by Rita Pelczar
  What you need to know to reduce exposure to mosquitoes and stay safe in the garden this summer.
   

• Crazy for Catmints* by Rand B. Lee
  Flowering in a range of cool to vibrant hues, catmints are a boon to almost any border—as long as you can keep the neighborhood felines in check.
   

• Vines for Shade by Marty Wingate
  Don’t neglect the vertical element in your woodland garden—a few select climbers can add an extra dimension to shady areas.

Departments

• Notes from River Farm*
  Insights and updates about the American Horticultural Society from AHS President Katy Moss Warner.
   

• Members’ Forum
  Readers write to voice their opinions, make recommendations, or set the record straight. In this issue: More information on melaleuca mulch, watering newly planted bur oaks.
   

• News from AHS*
  Updates on American Horticultural Society programs and events. In this issue: New SMARTGARDEN™ books from DK, 2002 National Children and Youth Garden Symposium to be held at River Farm, 2003 AHS Book Award winners.
   

• AHS National Programs*
  Details about AHS programs of national importance. This issue: The Growing Connection, a new program developed in cooperation with the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organization to encourage children around the world to learn how to grow food plants and share their discoveries with each other through information technology.
   

• AHS 2003 Great American Gardeners National Award Winners*
  Special profile of two 2003 winners: Jane Pepper (Liberty Hyde Bailey Award), president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and P. Allen Smith (Horticultural Communication Award), TV personality and author.
   

• SmartGarden™*
  A series of articles highlighting different aspects of AHS’s new SmartGarden™ program, which promotes a holistic approach to gardening using scientifically sound and environmentally responsible practices. This issue: All about garden edging.
   

• Everyday Garden Science*
  Plant science in plain English by AHS President Emeritus H. Marc Cathey. This issue: The effects of ethylene gas on plant growth.
   

• Gardener’s Notebook*
  Short, newsworthy articles on horticultural topics. This issue: Chicago Botanic Garden acquires rare books, soybean sunscreen, mildew-resistant garden phlox for the Southeast.
   

• Natural Connections
  A look at a natural phenomenon or symbiotic relationship that may be observed in nature or in the garden. This issue: Tentcaterpillars.
   

• Gardener’s Information Service*
  The plant specialists at the American Horticultural Society answer gardening questions. This month: Eucalyptus mulch, non-flowering coffee tree, pruning Chinese jasmine, deterring bark-nibbling by rabbits.
   

• Offshoots
  Essays on gardening from a personal viewpoint. This issue: Tales of life at a garden center.
   

• Conservationist’s Corner
  Highlighting the efforts of conservationists and conservation organizations to protect our native flora and ecosystems. This issue: The Center for Plant Conservation, a new AHS Horticultural Partner.
   

• Seasonal Garden Goods*
  A look at selected products on the market based on innovative design, horticultural utility, and environmental responsibility. This issue: A selection of products for edging in the garden.
   

• Book Reviews*
  Featured: The Gardener’s Palette, and Consider the Leaf. Also, a roundup of regional gardening books from throughout North America.
   

• Regional Happenings
  Listings of lectures, flower shows, and other gardening events across the country. Featured: Earth Day on April 22, wild trilliums on display in Virginia.
   

• WEB SPECIALS: Art Exhibit at River Farm.
   

• Hardiness and Heat Zones and Pronunciations
  A guide to USDA Plant Hardiness and AHS Plant Heat Zones for most of the cultivated plants listed in each issue—and a user-friendly guide to pronouncing their botanical names.
   

• Perfect Plant Companions
  A spotlight on plants that look great growing together. This issue: Blue oat grass and Johnny jump-ups.

You can gain access to the online version of this issue of The American Gardener AND get a printed copy of each bimonthly issue mailed to your home by becoming an American Horticultural Society (AHS) member today. Click here to learn about the many other benefits of AHS membership--the annual Free Seed Exchange, toll-free gardener's hotline, free and discounted admission to flower shows and botanical gardens, and much more--and for a membership application. To purchase a single copy of the magazine, click here. The American Gardener is also available through select vendors; ask your local newsstand for our publication.

Items marked with an asterisk (*) can be viewed by non-members without a username and password.

Letters to the editor should be emailed to: editor@ahs.org or mailed to:
Editor, AHS,
7931 East Boulevard Drive,
Alexandria VA 22308.