the redbud: november/december 2015

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Page 1 Save These Dates: President’s Message. . . . . 1 ‘Gemini’ Rose . . . . . . . .2 Earwigs . . . . . . . . . . .2 Birds’ Christmas Tree. . . . 3 Art In the Garden Rst. . . 3 Best Perinneals . . . . . . .4 Butterflies in the Garden . .5 Virus Killing Roses. . . . .6 Living Christmas Trees . . .6 Evergreens in Winter . . .8 Shop At Amazon? . . . . .9 Giving . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Tours Of Japanese Gard . 10 Reminders To Members . 10 Donations . . . . . . . . . .11 New Members . . . . . . .11 What’s Inside: Nov 4 Family Discovery Day “Leaves” 11am - Noon Nov 12 Family Drop In -- All Ages “Flashlight Fun” 6 to 7 pm Nov 24 Little Sprouts -- Ages 18 months to 3 years - “Teddy Bear Picnic” 1 to 1:30 pm Dec 5 Birds’ Christmas Tree -- All Ages -- 11am - 12pm Mar 1 to April 3 Butterflies in the Garden Roger Rice, President Fort Worth Botanical Society Located on the circle at the west end of Rock Springs Road sits one of the best known and beloved parts of the Botanic Garden – the Rose Garden. Originally built in the 1930’s during the depres- sion with labor provided by federal worker assistance programs, the Rose Garden has been the central feature of the Botanic Garden for generations of Fort Worth citizens. Under the capable guidance of the Fort Worth Garden Club, it has been a venue for innumerable weddings, proposals, photo shoots and other important events for decades. Recently, the Garden Club completed an extensive renovation and reconstruction of the over 80 year old garden. At an expense of over one million dollars, this effort has faithfully restored the Rose Garden to its original beauty. Every month the Fort Worth Botanical Society receives donations from its members and others interested in the Botanic Gardens. Often these donations are specified for use in a particular garden or purpose. Recently, we took donations we have received for the Rose Garden, supplemented them with other Society funds and made a donation of $10,000 to the Fort Worth Garden Club as a token of our appreciation for their efforts in the Rose Garden restoration. By collaboration on important projects with constituents like the Garden Club, we can pool our joint efforts to make the Fort Worth Botanic Garden one of the best in the nation. I hope to see you at one of our activities soon. In the meantime, enjoy your Garden! Presentation of check to Fort Worth Garden Club for Rose Garden Renovation Published by the Fort Worth Botanical Society in support of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden November/December 2015 President’s Message

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Page 1: The Redbud: November/December 2015

Page 1Page 1

November/December 2015

Save These Dates:

President’s Message. . . . . 1‘Gemini’ Rose . . . . . . . . 2Earwigs . . . . . . . . . . . 2Birds’ Christmas Tree. . . . 3Art In the Garden Rst. . . 3Best Perinneals . . . . . . . 4Butterflies in the Garden . . 5Virus Killing Roses. . . . . 6Living Christmas Trees . . . 6Evergreens in Winter . . . 8Shop At Amazon? . . . . . 9Giving . . . . . . . . . . . .10Tours Of Japanese Gard . 10Reminders To Members . 10Donations . . . . . . . . . .11New Members . . . . . . .11

What’s Inside:

Published by the Fort Worth Botanical Societyin support of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Nov 4 Family Discovery Day “Leaves” 11am - Noon

Nov 12 Family Drop In -- All Ages “Flashlight Fun” 6 to 7 pm

Nov 24 Little Sprouts -- Ages 18 months to 3 years - “Teddy Bear Picnic” 1 to 1:30 pm

Dec 5 Birds’ Christmas Tree -- All Ages -- 11am - 12pm

Mar 1 to April 3 Butterflies in the Garden

President’s Message

Roger Rice, PresidentFort Worth Botanical Society

Locate d on the circle at the west end of Rock Springs Road sits one of the best known and beloved parts of the Botanic Garden – the Rose Garden.

Originally built in the 1930’s during the depres-sion with labor provided by federal worker assistance programs, the Rose Garden has been the central feature of the Botanic Garden for generations of Fort Worth citizens. Under the capable guidance of the Fort Worth Garden

Club, it has been a venue for innumerable weddings, proposals, photo shoots and other important events for decades.

Recently, the Garden Club completed an extensive renovation and reconstruction of the over 80 year old garden. At an expense of over one million dollars, this eff ort has faithfully restored the Rose Garden to its original beauty.

Every month the Fort Worth Botanical Society receives donations from its members and others interested in the Botanic Gardens. Often these donations are specifi ed for use in a particular garden or purpose. Recently, we took donations we have received for the Rose Garden, supplemented them with other Society funds and made a donation of $10,000 to the Fort Worth Garden Club as a token of our appreciation for their eff orts in the Rose Garden restoration.

By collaboration on important projects with constituents like the Garden Club, we can pool our joint eff orts to make the Fort Worth Botanic Garden one of the best in the nation.

I hope to see you at one of our activities soon. In the meantime, enjoy your Garden!

Presentation of check to Fort Worth Garden Club for Rose Garden Renovation

Page 1

Happy New Year! I am excited for what 2014 has in store for the gardens. As I begin my journey this year to fulfill my vision and dream for the garden, my excite-ment can be seen

in my boys’ eyes as I tell them what they are about to embark on with their mother. Yes, I know right now to them it is all fun but when they get older I hope they realize that they were part of their mom’s vision and dream for the garden.

To start this year, we will kick off with our traditional events that many Fort Worth residents come to love and enjoy every year. This year’s Spring Festival will celebrate the Year of the Horse, which happens to be my year. I am not superstitious, but growing up my mother would tell us that if it was our sign that year, it would be a good year for us. So I hope my mother’s prediction is right and that people born in the Year of the Horse will have a fruitful and fulfilling year. Our spring plant sale will offer many varieties of plants to choose from.

The Butterflies in the Garden (held every other year) will be in March and

January/February 2014

Save These Dates:I am excited to be part of this year’s event. My co-chairs, Kristi Hasty and Carolann Morris, have been in many planning meetings. This year the com-mittee decided to reach out to the local schools with a logo contest. I am pleased to announce that Agustin Alvarez won the contest and, with the help of a local design company, JoDesign, this year’s logo was created. When announcing the winner of the contest, I was not sure if Agustin was excited as much as his teacher, Ms. Ali Cannoles of Rosemont Middle school, was. Agustin was more in shock when he realized that the logo was going to be on billboards and on all the marketing materials. There will be more details in the next issue of The Redbud.

To complete the spring events, we will be hosting our first bridal show in the Japanese Garden. My co-chairs, Grace Ballard, Lauren Blake, and Paula Snider, are taking on this task to fulfill my vision of a bridal show within the garden. So be on the lookout for the details and I hope you take part in this year’s spring events. I’m looking forward to seeing you in the garden, and may your dreams and ideas live throughout the garden.

Rattana Mao, PresidentFort Worth Botanical Society

President’s Message . . . . . 1Who’s Who . . . . . . . . 2Regina Blair Award . . . 3Family Programs . . . . . . 4Birds’ Christmas Tree . . . . 5A Tapestry of Textures . . . 6

Examples for Shade– . . . . 6Examples for Sun– . . . . . 7

Master Gardeners News . . 7Butterflies in the Garden . . 8Fall Festival . . . . . . . . . 9Gardens Restaurant . . . .10New Members . . . . . . .10Donations . . . . . . . . . . 11

What’s Inside:

Published by the Fort Worth Botanical Societyin support of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Mar 1 - Apr 5 Butterflies in the Garden 10 am - 4 pmMar 1 Ft . Worth Orchid Society Sale 9 am - 5 pmMar 2 Ft . Worth Orchid Society Sale 1 pm - 4 pmMar 8 Yard Smart 8 am - 2 pmMar 29 African Violet Show/Sale 9 am - 5 pm Mar 30 African Violet Show/Sale 1 pm - 5 pm

President’s Message

Page 1

November/December 2015

Save These Dates:

President’s Message. . . . . 1‘Gemini’ Rose . . . . . . . . 2Earwigs . . . . . . . . . . . 2Birds’ Christmas Tree. . . . 3Art In the Garden Rst. . . 3Best Perinneals . . . . . . . 4Butterflies in the Garden . . 5Virus Killing Roses. . . . . 6Living Christmas Trees . . . 6Evergreens in Winter . . . 8Shop At Amazon? . . . . . 9Giving . . . . . . . . . . . .10Tours Of Japanese Gard . 10Reminders To Members . 10Donations . . . . . . . . . .11New Members . . . . . . .11

What’s Inside:

Published by the Fort Worth Botanical Societyin support of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Nov 4 Family Discovery Day “Leaves” 11am - Noon

Nov 12 Family Drop In -- All Ages “Flashlight Fun” 6 to 7 pm

Nov 24 Little Sprouts -- Ages 18 months to 3 years - “Teddy Bear Picnic” 1 to 1:30 pm

Dec 5 Birds’ Christmas Tree -- All Ages -- 11am - 12pm

Mar 1 to April 3 Butterflies in the Garden

President’s Message

Roger Rice, PresidentFort Worth Botanical Society

Locate d on the circle at the west end of Rock Springs Road sits one of the best known and beloved parts of the Botanic Garden – the Rose Garden.

Originally built in the 1930’s during the depres-sion with labor provided by federal worker assistance programs, the Rose Garden has been the central feature of the Botanic Garden for generations of Fort Worth citizens. Under the capable guidance of the Fort Worth Garden

Club, it has been a venue for innumerable weddings, proposals, photo shoots and other important events for decades.

Recently, the Garden Club completed an extensive renovation and reconstruction of the over 80 year old garden. At an expense of over one million dollars, this eff ort has faithfully restored the Rose Garden to its original beauty.

Every month the Fort Worth Botanical Society receives donations from its members and others interested in the Botanic Gardens. Often these donations are specifi ed for use in a particular garden or purpose. Recently, we took donations we have received for the Rose Garden, supplemented them with other Society funds and made a donation of $10,000 to the Fort Worth Garden Club as a token of our appreciation for their eff orts in the Rose Garden restoration.

By collaboration on important projects with constituents like the Garden Club, we can pool our joint eff orts to make the Fort Worth Botanic Garden one of the best in the nation.

I hope to see you at one of our activities soon. In the meantime, enjoy your Garden!

Presentation of check to Fort Worth Garden Club for Rose Garden Renovation

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EARWIGSBy Gail Manning

Earwigs are harmless insects which can cause alarm when seen indoors. Drawn inside the home by the warmth and dampness, you may encounter one in the bathroom or inside near a door. Th e pincers (properly called cerci) at the tip of the abdomen look scary, but earwigs don’t pinch people, nor do they crawl into the ears of sleeping people.

About 5/8” long, they are brown with the most noticeable feature being the pincers. Th e pincers are used as a defense by females, who protect their young. Earwigs are one of the few insects to exhibit maternal care. Males may use their pincers in contests with other males. But I’ve not read of any incident where a person has been nipped by an earwig.

Th ey feed on decaying plant matter, so they may be found in a potted plant; but their usual haunt is out-doors in leaf litter, the same places you would fi nd a roly-poly. Th ey are nocturnal feeders, so they remain mostly hidden during the day.

Earwigs have wings, but rarely fl y. Th eir leathery wings give the order its name, Dermaptera, meaning “skin-wing.” You will see them crawling, but they are hard to squash because their body is fl attened. It’s best to sweep them up and toss them outdoors.

Th ere are native species, but the common earwig came to America in 1907 from Europe. Soon it spread across the continent. Earwigs are not a pest, but they can be startling to encounter.

Gail is an Entomologist at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

‘Gemini’ Rose

By Larry Wiley, Master Rosarian

‘Gemini’ is among the top fi fteen highest-rated hybrid tea roses in commerce. The rose is the perfect blend of exquisite form, impeccable color, and moderate sweet fragrance. Introduced in1999, ‘Gemini’ continues to be a favorite among rose growers and is frequently found on the awards table at rose shows. Whether you grow it to exhibit at a show or in your home, it’s a winner.

The Fort Worth Rose Society invites you to our next meeting on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, when Botanic Garden rose gardener, Jeanette Anders, will present the Fort Worth Botanic Garden End of Year Review. In December, the FWRS will celebrate the holidays with a Christmas Dinner—date, time, and venue to be announced.

Fort Worth Rose Society meetings usually occur on the fi rst Tuesday of each month (except August) at the Garden Center. We meet at 6:30 p.m. (social) and 7:00 (meeting). If you go to the FWRS website, www.fortworthrosesociety.org, you will fi nd a list of our upcoming programs, contact information, and a list of our Consulting and Master Rosarians, who will be happy to answer your rose questions.

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Photos from Past Birds’ Christmas Tree Events

ART IN THE GARDENS RESTAURANT

Featuring James Lesniak

I grew up in a small town in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. I love being outdoors with nature. I bought my fi rst 35mm at 17 and took off . I love hiking and looking for something to take a picture of.

I started a small photography company and moved to Tucson. What a wonderful place to be with a camera. I did parties and weddings but nothing felt better than taking pictures of wildlife and landscapes. I appeared on Public Television three times with my shots. I am self taught with a deep love of wildlife and the out-doors. And I am very happy to share it all with you. - James Lesniak [email protected]

Th e restaurant is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.

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Butterfl ies in the GardenMarch 1 – April 3, 2016

Interested in volunteering?Add your name to the interest list!

We hope you can join us for the upcoming Butterfl ies in the Garden exhibit.  Be fi rst to hear the volunteer announcements by giving us your name and contact information now.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Greeters

Guest Services

Ticket Takers

Door Monitors

Exhibit Monitors and Educators

Education Guides

Volunteer Benefi ts:

Unique experience to be around bu tterfl ies from all over the world

In-depth education about butterfl ies

Meet and interact with other volunteers

Event Volunteer T-shirt

Two free admission tickets to exhibit

Volunteer Commitments:

Attend one training session in February. (Dates will be announced in December)

Attend Practice Day where we make a fi nal run through of the exhibit before opening to the public. (Sunday, February 28, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.)

Volunteer for at least 5 shifts. Each shift is approxi-mately a 4-hour commitment, morning or afternoon.

For more information or to be added to the interest list, contact either:

Larinda Smith, Volunteer Coordinator

Fort Worth Botanic [email protected]

Julie Donovan, Volunteer Coordinator

Botanical Research Institute of [email protected]

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Deadly Virus Killing Roses

by Steve Huddleston

Rose Rosette Disease (RRD) is a deadly virus that is infecting and killing roses all across the metroplex. Th is virus infects only roses and cannot survive outside a living rose bush. A tiny, invisible mite transmits the virus from an infected bush to a healthy bush.

Th is mite cannot fl y and cannot crawl very far, but it can be carried by the wind. In fact, the wind can carry the mite for miles, thus putting the roses of many other property owners at risk

when the infected bushes are not removed quickly.

Symptoms of the virus include “witches’ broom” (proliferation of distorted, termi-nal growth), excessive thorns on the stems, malformation of leaves, excessive shoot growth, and plant death. Th ere is no cure for this disease. Pruning the diseased branches will not save the infected rose bush, and keeping the infected bush in place only serves to perpetuate the disease.

Once a rose has been infected with this virus, the entire plant, including the roots, should be removed immediately.

Before digging up the rose bush, place a bag over it (to trap the mites), dig it, and then dispose of it. Do not put RRD-infected roses in your compost pile. Leave the hole vacant one week, and then replant with another rose bush if you wish. (Th e virus does not contaminate the soil.) Otherwise, replace with another shrub, perennials, or annuals .

For more information, visit www.roserosettedisease.com.

Deformed Buds and Leaves

Extreme Thorniness

Foliage Discoloration

Living Christmas TreesBy Steve Huddleston

Often the term “living Christmas tree” means a live, growing tree that has been brought into the house as a Christmas tree. After Christmas, the tree is planted outside.

Th e idea of planting such a tree is good; however, indoor conditions of low light and low humidity for three to four weeks can be detrimental to the tree. Rather than subject a tree to these conditions, why not designate an evergreen tree in the landscape as your “outdoor” Christmas tree? Several evergreen, conifer-ous trees make excellent outdoor Christmas trees as well as beautiful statements in the landscape all year long.

Blue Atlas Cedar

Th e blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’) hails from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and would

Witches Broom

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make a gorgeous outdoor Christmas tree, especially if you want to create a “blue Christmas.” It has an irregular, pyramidal form and slowly reaches a mature height of 40-60 feet. Th e short, powder-blue needles create a wintry look and would be easy to decorate with strings of lights or ornaments. Blue Atlas cedar performs best in well-drained soil and responds favorably to fertilizer, mulching, and supplemental watering during drought. Once established, however, blue Atlas cedar exhibits moderate drought tolerance. Because of its color and form, blue Atlas cedar makes a spectacular accent tree. Th is tree would be beautiful decorated with blue, silver, white, or red ornaments. Large, white snowfl ake ornaments would be espe-cially pretty against the powder-blue needles of this tree.

Arizona Cypress

For more of a western look to an outdoor Christmas tree, consider Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica). Native to west Texas and New Mexico, this tree forms a medium to large evergreen tree with small, scale-like green to silvery-blue leaves.

It has a pyramidal to columnar shape and reaches a mature height of 30-40 feet with a fairly fast growth rate. It tolerates a range of soil types and exhibits excellent heat and drought tolerance. Th e cultivar ‘Blue Ice’ grows only 10-12 feet tall with an upright, pyramidal growth habit and very silvery-blue foliage. Th is tree would look particularly nice decorated with such western- or Texas-themed items as stars, cowboy boots, spurs, bandanas, rope, and red chili peppers. Strands of chili pepper-shaped lights would good on this tree, too.

Deodar Cedar

Native to the Himalayas, deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) grows well in north central Texas where it can reach 40-60 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide. It makes a perfect outdoor Christmas tree because of its pyramidal shape and drooping branches, which grow gracefully all the way to the ground.

Th e needles are fi ne-textured and 1 ½-2 inches long. Needles can be bright green, yellow-green,

or bluish-green depending on the cultivar. Deodar cedar prefers a well-drained loam or clay loam soil and grows best in full sun. It is moderately drought tolerant but responds well to supplemental irrigation during periods of drought. It benefi ts from mulching of the root system, especially on young trees, to con-serve moisture and reduce soil temperature. A rapid grower under good conditions, deodar cedar makes a spectacular statement in the landscape. Since deodar cedar looks the most like a traditional Christmas tree, it would be pretty decorated with traditional orna-ments. A star or angel on top of this tree would really look good.

Eastern Red Cedar

Th is is the evergreen tree (Juniperus virginiana) we see growing at the edges of woods and in pastures all across north and central Texas. Young ones are per-fectly shaped and look like little Christmas trees, but they can reach a height of 30 feet with a spread of 20 feet. Th erefore, give one plenty of room in the land-scape. Leaves are scale-like or needle-like, medium to dark green during the growing season and often a bronze-green during the winter.

Eastern red cedar comes in male and female trees. Th e female tree, of course, is the only one that bears fruit. Th e attractive, ¼-inch diameter, round blue fruits beautifully adorn the female tree and appeal to cedar waxwings during the winter. Eastern red cedar looks especially nice and “down home” decorated with homemade decorations such as strands of popcorn, Fruit Loops, peanuts in the shell, and/or cranberries.

Obviously, then, any one of these coniferous trees would make an excellent outdoor Christmas tree. Select one, plant it this fall, and decorate it for Christmas. Decorate it each successive Christmas as a family or neighborhood tradition and celebrate its growth from year to year. Let this tree be a living part of your Christmas tradition!

Steve Huddleston is the senior horticulturist at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, co-author of Easy Gardens for North Central Texas, and president of his own landscaping company.

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Evergreens that Turn Colors in Winter

By Steve Huddleston

Color is what most people want in their gardens and containers. Folks quickly think of blooming plants to supply such color, but color also comes from foliage. We’re all familiar with deciduous trees and shrubs whose leaves turn colors in the fall, but a few ever-green shrubs exist which take on a diff erent color in the winter and add interest to that season.

Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’

Th is cultivar of abelia lives up to the defi nition of “kaleidoscope”: “a variegated, changing pattern or scene” since it undergoes changing colors through the seasons. Spring foliage sports light green centers and bright yellow leaf margins.

Summer foliage takes on darker green centers and a golden to creamy-yellow outer edge. As temperatures drop in the fall, the leaves assume a combination of green, golden yellow, orange, and red. Th ose colors intensify during winter and really make the plant stand out in the winter landscape, especially when it’s planted en masse.

‘Kaleidoscope’ performs best in full sun to partial shade. Th ese conditions also promote the best leaf color, fullness, and fl owering. Abelias tolerate a wide range of soil conditions but need good drainage and some moisture to look their best.

Abelias also prefer soils that are acidic to neutral in pH since soils high in pH will cause chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves due to lack of iron). Once established, abelias demonstrate moderate drought tolerance, but they certainly respond well to supplemental irriga-tion and fertilization. Th ey have no serious disease or insect problems.

Use ‘Kaleidoscope’ in small groupings, mass plantings, containers, or anywhere a splash of color is needed. To make the colorful variegation of ‘Kaleidoscope’ stand out even more in winter, plant in front of dark green evergreen shrubs such as hollies. Cool-season color that combines well with ‘Kaleidoscope’ includes

‘Skyline Copperfi eld’ pansies and mixed or burnt orange snapdragons.

Andorra Juniper

While I was growing up, my dad planted Andorra junipers (Juniperus hortizontalis ‘Plumosa’) across the front of our porch on the west side of the house. Growing only 1’ tall and 8-10’wide, it was the perfect, low-growing evergreen to hide the porch’s concrete slab and the base of the four columns. When winter came, this juniper turned a plum or purple color, which was fi ne in and of itself, but I remember thinking the purple color clashed with our red brick!

Plant Andorra junipers in full sun in average, well-drained soils with medium moisture. They actually tolerate a rather dry, sandy or gravelly soil and do well in zones 3 to 9. During the summer, the foliage is green to blue-green but turns bronze-purple during the winter, giving the plant defi nite winter interest. Use Andorra juniper as a ground cover in rock gardens, along foundations, on slopes, in mass plantings, or cascading over retaining walls. Its winter color will look especially good in front of white, gray, or a light, plum-colored brick. I still don’t recommend planting it in front of red brick!

Nandinas

Nandinas are tough, durable, and versatile evergreen shrubs that grow in just about any kind of soil and with low maintenance requirements. Most varieties grow in sun or shade, although some cultivars prefer more shade than others. Many new varieties have emerged in the last several years, and some of these have summer but especially outstanding winter color.

‘Flirt’ grows 18-24” tall and makes an excellent, low-growing shrub that takes full sun or shade. New growth on ‘Flirt’ is maroon, and that color persists somewhat during the summer, but it really intensifi es during the winter. The maroon color during any season is best in full sun. Use this shrub as a ground cover or as a foundation planting beneath low windows. Cool-season color that looks good in front of it includes pansies, dianthus or red cabbage/kale.

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‘Gulf Stream’ grows 3-4’ tall and has copper-colored new growth during the summer, but the foliage turns red during the winter. For a striking winter combina-tion, plant white cabbage/kale, kale ‘Winter Bor,’ or Swiss chard ‘Bright Lights’ in front of it.

‘Firepower’ and ‘Nana’ also grow 18-24” tall and turn fl aming red during the winter. Plant these in full sun en masse and enjoy the striking contribution they make to the winter landscape. Border with white or other colors of pansies, dianthus, white alyssum, or white cabbage/kale for optimal contrast with the bright red foliage.

Purple Wintercreeper

Purple wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei ‘Coloratus’) is a trailing, evergreen ground cover which grows about 1-2’ tall in full sun to part shade in any soil that is well drained. It spreads along the ground forming a bushy mat until it reaches a vertical surface, which it

then begins to climb. It features lustrous, oval-shaped, dark green leaves during the growing season.

Come winter, though, the leaves turn dark purple and make a noticeable statement in the winter landscape. Use this plant to cover a large area or on a slope to control erosion. Its height can be managed by mowing over it on the lawnmower’s highest setting or by using a string trimmer.

Try any of these evergreen plants to add new inter-est to your winter landscape. You’ll enjoy their colors during the warm months, but you’ll be delighted to see them change colors at a time of year when many other plants have lost their color. With these plants, you’ll never be at a loss for color.

Steve Huddleston is the senior horticulturist at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, co-author of Easy Gardens for North Central Texas, and president of his own landscaping company.

DO YOU SHOP AT AMAZON?By Erdie Allsup

Amazon has a program supporting nonprofi t organizations that have been chosen by customers. We….you….members….any supporters of the Fort Worth Botanical Society can now make a contribution to the Botanic Garden painlessly.

Go to www.smile.amazon.com and choose the Fort Worth Botanical Society as your choice for a non-profi t charity. Amazon will donate a percentage of every purchase you make to the Botanical Society. We are receiving a check every quarter from our www.smile.amazon.com account.

You can shop on your smart phone, place your purchases in your cart, but you have to make your purchase from your computer because Smile does not support smart phone shopping.

Our fi rst project where the dollars from Smile Amazon will be used is the purchase of plants and trees for the Rock Springs Restoration. So go shopping and purchase from www.smile.amazon.com and you can enjoy your purchase and help plant a tree!!! You are then multiplying the use of your money.

Do your Christmas Shopping on www.smile.amazon.com and double the pleasure and double your giving. Th e Botanical Society thanks you!!!

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PUBLIC TOURS OF THE JAPANESE GARDEN

By Zara Soens

Come and walk through the Japanese Garden on a guided tour! Our docents describe the diff erentiat-ing aesthetics and design of Japanese gardens, explain the various artifacts and architectural styles present, and detail the botany and wildlife living within the garden.

Tours open to the public will be held the second Tuesday of every month and will depart from inside the admissions gate at 10:00 am. Th e next tours are on November 10, December 8, and January 12. No reservations are required and you are welcome to join in or drop out any time during the 90 minute tour.

REMINDERS TO OUR MEMBERSBy Zara Soens

Th is October many Fort Worth Botanical Society members stopped by the Plant Sale to purchase more fl owers and greenery for their gardens and yards, and others turned out to help host the Fall Festival in the Japanese Garden. It was great to see everyone out and about in the garden!

At the Society, we consider members part of the family and we benefi t from their collective talents, wisdom, and enthusiasm. So to all our members both new and old: Th ank you! Without your care and eff ort, the gardens would not be the local institution and advo-cate of the plant kingdom that it is today.

We are planning to throw our annual membership party soon, so watch out for an invitation in your mailbox! If you have moved houses or have changed your e-mail address in the past year, then please

GIVINGBy Erdie Allsup

Last Christmas I began my usual dilemma about what gifts I was going to buy my six grandchildren for Christmas. I went through my usual list of books, but they don’t have time to read.

Th en I thought about CDs, but they listen to music online and manage their own play lists. I thought about a new pet, clothes, gift cards, but nothing seemed to fi t what I wanted to do.

I like to make an impact on their minds and frequently am referred to as the Gramma that makes us learn new “stuff ”. At the last minute I read an article much like this about a Gramma who gave to her favorite charities in her grandkids’ names. It was a lightbulb moment.

My grandkids have grown up in the Botanic Garden and it is one of their favorite places to visit. So I decided that the way to solve this was with a brightly wrapped package with a note telling them that as a gift to them, a donation had been made to the Garden. I didn’t know how the gift would be received, but they were ecstatic!!!! I heard “THANK YOU, GRAMMA!”

When I got a phone call from each of them days later, we were celebrating yet again. Th ey had received a Th ank You note in the mail from the Garden express-ing gratitude for their contribution.

On a weekend visit and a tour of the Garden even later, they took ownership of the Garden and specu-lated what their donation had purchased--a plant, a koi, a tree?

I just wanted to share my pleasure of donating in the name of someone else, in my case my grandkids. Th ink about making a gift on behalf of friends or family to the Fort Worth Botanical Society this Christmas Season. It will be the gift that truly keeps on giving. Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!

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New Members

Donations

Armand Aff ricano Judith Beer Jennifer Browning Margaret BurkeCharlotte & James Caprio Kathy Jane Crow Steve Derting Frank DuncanCal Harris Jennings Harold Cal Harris Corrie Hayward Marilyn HillySusan and Scott Hurst Craig & Joanna Hutson Ernest Jackson Lucas Jacob Marissa Jaye Mark A KarasekJames Kelly Ray & Rosie KingsburyRutha Leff el Anthony Tomasic & Wendy Leng Margaret Lamb Rachel Mash Larry Metz Brandy Quinn Janice RaoulNatasha & Steve Rubino Jim Sadowski Ken Schiller Karen Simmer Jordan Smart Bruce Smith Steve Smith Nicole Solano Eric Springfi eld Beth Stribling Nathan Vrona James Watson Ashli Wells Amanda Wilks Robert Wheeler Harry & Rebecca White Steven Collins & Jennifer WicklineHan Zhang

Begonia Fund

American Begonia SocietyLula Mae LeonardHelen May NicholsM.A. PriceSan Jacinto Branch of the American Begonia SocietyShellie Gardner & David RobinsonKenny & Dianna Wilkerson

Education

Th e Fash Foundation

Japanese Garden

Anonymous DonorsAnthony Labrecque Unspecifi ed

Anonymous DonorsReuben & Mary Taniguchi In memory of Vicki Luedke Gloria Bradfi eldIn memory of Hugh Miles Ray Janet FieldIn memory of Betty Baskin Heritage Hospice of TexasIn memory of Ella Mikeska Heritage Hospice of TexasIn memory of Verna Lohmer

Heritage Hospice of TexasIn memory of Marty Elloie Leary

contact the Society’s offi ce so that we can send an invitation to you.

If you know any nature-lovers, green thumbs, or outdoor enthusiasts, then consider giving them a membership to the Botanic Garden this Christmas. No matter what the occasion, they are sure to enjoy the garden as it grows and changes with the seasons. Gift recipients who are already members will receive a renewal for a full year beyond their original member-ship expiration date.

Whether or not you are an active member, everyone at the Botanical Society offi ce trusts that you enjoy your excursions to the Botanic Gardens and hopes to see you here in 2016!

Page 12: The Redbud: November/December 2015

Page 12Page 12

The Redbudpublished 6 times a year by the Fort Worth Botanical Society

in support of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden

President Roger Rice Executive Director Erdie Phaye Allsup Phone 817.392.5548 Fax 817.392.5511 e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.fwjg.org Editor Phil Wilder Phone 817.475.9880 e-mail: [email protected]

Garden Staff Director Bob Byers Senior Horticulturist Steve Huddleston Educ’n Horticulturist Gail Manning Landscape Architect Kathleen Cook Events Administrator Leslie Pool Grounds Supervisor Rob Bauereisen Phone 817.392.5510 E-mail [email protected]

Deadline forJan/Feb 2016Redbud issue:

Nov 20

Nov/Dec