NARGS Rock Garden Quarterly: Winter 1998

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Rock Garden Quarterly

Bulletin of the North American Rock Garden Society

Volume 56 Number 1 - Winter 1998

Features

Rhododendrons for the Rock Garden
by Arthur P. Dome.

Dome makes it very clear that unless your garden can provide the specific conditions required by rhododendrons, you will be happier without rhododendrons. He goes on to a thorough coverage of just what these conditions are, and a few things you can do to alter your garden in favor of these beautiful plants. Then he lists a horde of species with detailed descriptions to aid your choice-making. The accompanying photos, both color and b/w, provide further reference and stimulation. Two lists, one of companion plants for rhodos and the second, rhododendrons for different levels of cold-hardiness, complete the article.

Heaths and Heathers
by Arthur P. Dome.

Here the author discusses possible heaths and heathers for the various growing conditions commonly encountered in the U. S. as well as thorough information about many of the cultivars usually offered by nurseries and garden centers. A list of mail-order sources is included.

Garden Artifice: The Unnatural Gardener
by David Hale.

When you absolutely must have that certain plant in your garden (and this is when you know you have become an over-the-edge avid rock gardener), then you will need to try a few of the successful schemes that are outlined here. Fortunately, with such guidance more of us can grow more of those "impossible" plants that otherwise would be the totally unsuitable choices that we all occasionally lose a bit of money over.

The Plant Box: Rock Gardening on Level Land
by Marnie Flook.

Start-to-finish color photos of wooden troughs and very readable instructions for their construction show how one garden was transformed from its original flat nature to a maze of wending paths through beds of many heights. The plant lists and description of their placement in these boxes will be very helpful to anyone wanting to learn how to figure out the best way to situate any given rock garden gem.

Northwest Harmony, the Oregon Garden of the O'Byrnes
by Louise Parsons.

A visit to a premier garden (and nursery) illuminated by four pages of glorious color photos. The details provide boundless inspiration as well as the specific information you might need to try some of these effects in your garden.

Western Cascades: Geology for Rock Gardeners
by Louise Parsons.

Parsons provides the information you want in order to understand the needs of the plants of the western Cascades. Or, for that matter, to greatly add value to your trip if you plan to visit these beautiful mountains. The drawings alone might inspire you make such a trip! With this little guide, and reference books from the accompanying list, your time would be very well-spent.

The One-Foot Rule
by Alexej Borkovec.

The philosophical "Musings from a Rock Garden" section of the Quarterly provides an interesting and amusing discussion of rock gardening rules, their background and justification, and suggests times when they can just as well be broken.

Departments

Book Reviews
Trilliums, by Frederick W. Case, Jr and Roberta B. Case
Trilliums in Woodland and Garden, American Treasures, by Don Jacobs and Rob Jacobs
Northwest Penstemons, by Dee Strickler
Dwarf and Unusual Conifers Coming of Age, A Guide to Mature Garden Conifers, by Sandra McLean Cutler
A Garden of One's Own, writings of Elizabeth Lawrence
Southern Alpines '96

Preserves: Rock grasses in the Bukk
Bukk National Park in Hungary is described by Laszlo Varga. It covers 38,755 hectares and is home to some interesting rock grass plant communities.

	Rhododendrons for the Rock Garden by Arthur P. Dome. Dome makes it very clear that unless your garden can provide the specific conditions required by rhododendrons, you will be happier without rhododendrons. He goes on to a thorough coverage of just what these conditions are, and a few things you can do to alter your garden in favor of these beautiful plants. Then he lists a horde of species with detailed descriptions to aid your choice-making. The accompanying photos, both color and b/w, provide further reference and stimulation. Two lists, one of companion plants for rhodos and the second, rhododendrons for different levels of cold-hardiness, complete the article.
	Heaths and Heathers by Arthur P. Dome. Here the author discusses possible heaths and heathers for the various growing conditions commonly encountered in the U. S. as well as thorough information about many of the cultivars usually offered by nurseries and garden centers. A list of mail-order sources is included.
	Garden Artifice: The Unnatural Gardener by David Hale. When you absolutely must have that certain plant in your garden (and this is when you know you have become an over-the-edge avid rock gardener), then you will need to try a few of the successful schemes that are outlined here. Fortunately, with such guidance more of us can grow more of those "impossible" plants that otherwise would be the totally unsuitable choices that we all occasionally lose a bit of money over.
	The Plant Box: Rock Gardening on Level Land by Marnie Flook. Start-to-finish color photos of wooden troughs and very readable instructions for their construction show how one garden was transformed from its original flat nature to a maze of wending paths through beds of many heights. The plant lists and description of their placement in these boxes will be very helpful to anyone wanting to learn how to figure out the best way to situate any given rock garden gem.
	Northwest Harmony, the Oregon Garden of the O'Byrnes by Louise Parsons. A visit to a premier garden (and nursery) illuminated by four pages of glorious color photos. The details provide boundless inspiration as well as the specific information you might need to try some of these effects in your garden.
	Western Cascades: Geology for Rock Gardeners by Louise Parsons. Parsons provides the information you want in order to understand the needs of the plants of the western Cascades. Or, for that matter, to greatly add value to your trip if you plan to visit these beautiful mountains. The drawings alone might inspire you make such a trip! With this little guide, and reference books from the accompanying list, your time would be very well-spent.
	The One-Foot Rule by Alexej Borkovec. The philosophical "Musings from a Rock Garden" section of the Quarterly provides an interesting and amusing discussion of rock gardening rules, their background and justification, and suggests times when they can just as well be broken.