The Garden Fence

Harford County Master Gardeners

Monthly Newsletter July 2019

Happy Independence Day! A special time to honor our country’s Founding

Fathers (and Mother’s).

Starting with vegetables and herbs, our nation was built by people who depended on small food gardens. They planted what was best suited for their climate, their tables and sharing with others. Many colonists purposefully grew dandelions and ate all the plant parts! Our native Monarda (bee balm) was used to make tea. But that was only because some protesters, dumped a ton of the traditional Camellia leaf tea for their resistance party. European settlers, as well as Native Americans worked together to create

beautiful, bountiful gardens. On this day let’s take time and remember our independence by planting seeds of respect, equality, and love. These three companions will continue to be the backbone of our American gardens for generations to come.

Ronnie Grevey ‘16

President’s Message

Inside this Issue President’s Message

Monarda Information Sheet

Bay-Wise

Ladew Topiary Gardens

Butterfly House

Tree Seedlings Have a Very

Good Reason to Shirk their

Parents

Can A Native Fungus

Control Tree-of-Heaven?

Continuing Education

Opportunities

Harford County Master

Gardener Calendar

Officers Ronnie Grevey, President

Anne Bredlow, Vice President

Kim Poehling, Secretary

Carol Linthicum, Secretary

Greg Murray, Treasurer

Steve O’Brien, Newsletter

Editor

Ginny Smith, Newsletter &

Continuing Education

Quick Links

Harford County Extension

Office

Home & Garden Info Center

VMS Logon

Harford County Master

Gardener Calendar

Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae, mint Native Species: Monarda didyma (USDA-MODI), Monarda fistulosa (USDA-MOFI), Monarda punctate (USDA-MOPU) Cultivars: Hybrids sold commercially (50+) from M. didyma (scarlet bee balm) and M. fistulosa (wild bergamot) Common Name: bee balm, horse mint, oswego tea, wild bergamot Origin: Eastern North America, expanded through lower 48 states and western Canada Climate: Zone 4 to 9 Sun: Sun to part shade, full sun best. Soil: Fertile; well-drained soil. Add mulch to preserve moisture. Performs OK in moist ground but not standing water Dimension: Range from dwarf varieties of 12in to over 4ft tall Leaf/Stem: Opposite, distinct petioles, slightly toothed. Squared style stem Flower: Tubular; usually singular, few cultivars double. Blooms May to September

Native colors: red, pink, light purple. Cultivar colors – white, fuchsia, rose, dark purple.

Pruning: Pinch back blooms to promote bushy growth, deadhead to support blooms Fragrance: Minty aroma Propagation: Seeds (germination 10 to 20 days), cuttings, rhizomes most common (split every 3 to 5 years). Can be aggressive, may expand 12 to 16 inches annually. Plant 12 to 18 inches apart for circulation and spreading. Uses: Medicinal – heals wounds & skin infections, herbal tea for throat and dental caries; gingivitis, contains thymol Ecology – Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, pollinating insects and insects that control garden pests Pests and Diseases: Propensity to develop powdery mildew, not fatal. Cut back to push new foliage. Disease starts in late June/early July. Some cultivars are mildew resistant. Top 5 performers from 3 year research study @ MT. Cuba

Center 2017. Based on Mid-Atlantic region assessment for

overall growth performance. Habitat, powdery mildew

resistance, leaf retention and flower coverage.

1. M. fistulosa “Clair Grace”

2. Monarda “Dark Ponticum”

3. Monarda “Violet Queen”

4. Monarda “AChall” (Grand Marshall)

5. Monarda “Judith’s Fancy, Colrain Red, Raspberry Wine”

Hummingbird top 5, based on visitation: Moth/Butterfly top 5, based on visitation: 1. M. “Jacob’s Cline” 1. M. fistulosa “Claire Grace” 2. M. “Gardenview Scarlet” 2. M. “On Parade” 3. M. “Cambridge Scarlet” 3. M. “Violet Queen” 4. M. didyma 4. M. ”Peter’s Purple” 5. M. “Raspberry Wine” 5. M. “Colrain Red”

Monarda Information Sheet

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PHOTOS: M. Jacob’s Cline M. “Gardenview Scarlet”

Wildlife Supported: Bees/Wasps 1. Bumble Bee 2. Cuckoo Bee 3. Ground Bee 4. Honey Bee 5. Leaf Cutter Bees 6. Long-Horned Bee 7. Mason Bees 8. Mining Bees 9. Paper Wasp 10. Polyester Bee 11. Sphex Bee 12. Sweat Bee 13. Yellow-Faced Bee 14. Weevil Bee

M. ”Peter’s Purple” M. “Claire Grace”

Moths/Butterflies 1. Black Swallowtail 2. Cabbage White 3. Clearwing Moth 4. Common Buckeye 5. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 6. Fritillary 7. Gray Hairstreak 8. Monarch 9. Pipevine Swallowtail 10. Red Admiral 11. Silver Spotted Skipper 12. Sphinx Moth 13. Spicebush Swallowtail 14. Sulphur

Birds Supported 1. American Gold Finch 2. Cat Bird 3. Red-Throated Hummingbird 4. Sparrow

Resources: www.MTCUBACenter.org/trials/Monarda USDA Plants The old Farmer’s Almanac Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center US Fish and Wildlife Services – “Native plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping”

Native Plant Committee, submitted by French Cornett ‘10

Bay-Wise: Environmentally sound gardening; Gardening as if life depends on it!!!

When we step through the practices outlined in the Bay-Wise yardstick, we realize that these are sound actions that not only help keep the Chesapeake Bay clean, but make our local environment healthier for all life. Including our own! Through these actions on our own property, be it small or large, we help counteract man’s destructive excesses which have threatened the long-term health of our environment, and ultimately ourselves. Here are some first step actions:

Bay-Wise

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Control Storm water runoff: take steps to enhance infiltration of water that falls on your property. Stop topsoil, fertilizer and pollutants from washing off into waterways.

Encourage wildlife: Establish native plants, water and shelter for encouraging a diversity of wildlife

which ultimately slows the rate of extinction. Mow grass high to encourage a drought tolerant root system and discourage weeds. Conserve

water; minimize top watering. Practice Integrated Pest Management techniques that will help you avoid broad use of herbicides,

fungicides, and insecticides. Keep a thin layer of mulch on plant beds and under trees; recycle and/or compost yard waste and

kitchen scraps. Test your soil every 3-5 years and fertilize tall fescue only if necessary (in the fall). If you have not already done so, we encourage you to review a copy of the Bay-Wise yardstick, available at www.hgic.umd.edu and apply for Bay-Wise certification in your yard or garden. Upon certification you will receive an attractive blue plaque to post in your garden. This spring the Master Gardener Bay-Wise team has certified several private gardens and the Susquehannock Wildlife Center in Darlington. The wildlife center is actively working to establish native plants and a pollinator garden. The Eden Mill demonstration gardens in Pylesville, and the Seneca community gardens in Havre de Grace also proudly post their Bay-Wise plaques. Any questions, or to apply for certification, please email beatricefilburn@gmail.com. Note: MG 2019 Interns can earn 2.0 volunteer service hours by having their yard certified Bay-Wise! Bea Filburm ‘13

Hello, welcome to the butterfly house at Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, Maryland

(www.ladewgardens.com). If you have ever been to a butterfly house before, you will find this one is different. Many butterfly houses contain exotic butterfly species native to other countries. Ladew butterfly house is unique in that it only contains butterflies native to Maryland. Species are caught by volunteers right here in the gardens and released in the Ladew butterfly enclosure. Inside they have

everything they need to reproduce and complete their entire lifecycle. The lifecycle of the butterfly begins with the female laying an egg on a plant leaf and hatching into a caterpillar. The caterpillars of each butterfly species are very

Ladew Topiary Gardens Butterfly House

Ladew’s Butterfly House Ladew's Butterfly House interior

Butterfly egg

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particular and will eat only specific plants. These plants are called the host plants of that butterfly species. Thus, the female butterfly lays her egg only on host plants. Feeding on host plant foliage the caterpillars increase in size and sometimes appearance! Depending upon the species, they may shed their skin four or five times through each instar. In the Ladew butterfly house there are a wide range of host plants containing butterfly eggs and caterpillars of diverse sizes and appearances so you can see all instars firsthand! When caterpillars reach their largest size, they wander away from the host and look for a place to complete the next stage of their lifecycle, the pupa stage.

During the pupa stage, the caterpillar suspends itself from a plant and transforms its body into the chrysalis. There are often chrysalises of several different species in the Ladew house at the same time, so you can compare species variations. In about 24 hours when the adult butterflies emerge from the chrysalis, they will immediately feed on nectar. Unlike caterpillars, that eat only specific plants, adult butterflies get nectar from a wide range of flowering plants. Some species also eat tree sap, rotting fruit or dung. The butterfly house offers a wide variety of flowering plants and fresh, fruit slices for adult nectar sources from June to late September. No dung however! Ladew’s butterfly species change from year to year and month to month because the display is dependent on what the volunteers catch. Swallowtail species, the largest butterflies in North America, are in the house almost every year. Examples include Eastern Black Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail and Pipevine Swallowtail, all three look very similar, but each have unique host plants. Hosts for the Spicebush Swallowtail are the Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and the Sassafras tree. To find this caterpillar you will have to gently, unfold the leaves of the host plant to find him hiding inside. With its huge fake eyes, the Spicebush caterpillar is a favorite of butterfly house visitors! The Eastern Black Swallowtail host plants include herbs in the carrot family such as fennel, parsley, and dill, as well as the perennial plant, Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea).The Tiger Swallowtail adults with their yellow and black striping are easy to distinguish from the other swallowtails. The Tulip Poplar tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is their host plant in the house. Occasionally, Pipevine Swallowtail adults are present, and its caterpillars may be found eating the leaves of the Pipevine (Aristolochia macrophylla).

Probably the most well-known of butterfly species in the house is the Monarch. Most visitors recognize their host milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.) and people frequently know about Monarch migration to and from Mexico. Many visitors do not realize Monarchs have four generations in a given year and that the first-generation adults live only about 2 months while the fourth generation may live around 9 months. Ladew volunteers tag and release the fourth generation of Monarch adults. Monarchs are not the only butterflies released at Ladew.

All of them are released! All summer season the butterfly house is covered with temporary netting that is removed at the end of the garden season. This allows each butterfly species to overwinter in whatever life stage they prefer, caterpillar, chrysalis or adult. The butterflies can be released because they are native to the property.

Eastern Black Swallowtail

Spicebush Swallowtail larvae

Monarch Butterfly

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

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Not only are the butterflies native to the property, the host plants they need are also native to this area! You may be surprised that some host plants are commonly considered weeds. Violets, for example, are host for many of the Fritillary butterflies. Plantains are host for the Common Buckeye. As you leave the butterfly house make sure to get a host plant list of weeds to keep for the butterflies. If you live in the Mid-Atlantic area, please add these plants to your gardens. Even if you live elsewhere, add nectar plants for adult butterflies. The Ladew Butterfly house is open 7 days a week (weather permitting)! June 17 through September 30 from 10:30 am – 4 pm. Admission to the butterfly house is included with your admission to the gardens (www.ladewgardens.org). Ladew docents will great you at the Butterfly entrance and show you the daily current highlights of plants and butterfly species. It is likely that you will know the docent since many are Harford County Master Gardeners who are earning their volunteer hours by educating the public about our native butterflies and host plants. We hope to see you there! Diane Mitchell ‘12

Source: https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/newsletters/branching-out/2019_vol27_no2_0.pdf Veronique Greenwood, The Atlantic

In the study of forests, a central mystery has long stood unsolved: The seed that falls far from the tree does a whole lot better in life than the seed that stays close. Though scientists have never fully understood the reasons behind this pattern, they believe that something about the soil of an adult tree makes it unfriendly to seeds of the same species. In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers grew seedlings in soil from various trees to probe this question. And they found an additional, fascinating wrinkle. The deadly effect is very particular: Seeds can actually grow relatively well in soil from trees of their own species. It’s the specific soil of their parents that afflicts them most. Furthermore, the team believes that what ails the offspring is bacteria living in the soil of their parent trees—not dangerous to the adult, but somehow adapted to sicken its own seedlings. In the past, scientists have considered many possible advantages to seeds flying farther from the feet of the adults of their species. This arrangement might encourage the growth of a wide variety of species, with the rare sheltering in the shadow of the common. Indeed, in tropical rain forests, there’s an enormous diversity of trees, all of them thriving together. The team set out to examine several different variables, including the nutrients in the surrounding soil and the presence of symbiotic fungi, in a sampling of trees from a forest in Panama. The researchers put seedlings of the baboonwood—a tall, lanky tropical tree—in pots whose soil had been mixed with soil carefully collected from under the seedlings’ parents, from under other baboonwood trees in the forest, or from under trees of other species. After eight months, they checked the total weight of each of the plants. That was when it became clear that there was a difference between growing in a parent’s soil versus another baboonwood tree’s soil. “Being near another member of your own species is a much better situation for seedlings than being near their maternal plants,” says Jenalle Eck, a postdoctoral researcher at University of Zurich who

Tree Seedlings Have a Very Good Reason to Shirk their Parents

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led the study. In the past, experimenters had sometimes pooled the soil from all the trees of a given species, for simplicity. This would have obscured the effect that Eck and her colleagues saw, making it look like growing near any tree of the same species is harmful. In contrast, there was no correlation between the nutrients in the soil or the symbiotic fungi and the final size of the plants. That confirmed a suspicion the researchers had— that something else living in the soil, probably bacterial, is to blame. The soil in the pots had been dosed with forest soil whose bacteria were intact. The bacteria in that dose would have spread throughout the soil, and if pathogens were present, they would have been able to infect the seedlings, hampering their growth. The fact that such pathogens would affect only seedlings of a given parent suggests that they target something specific to the offspring’s genome. A computer model built by the researchers to show how such genotype-specific pathogens might work confirmed that their presence would produce the patterns the team saw. Such pathogens might build up over time in the soil around a tree, Eck says. They might not be present in the soil around a newly sprouted tree, but once it has matured into adulthood, the tree might draw them with its constant rain of young unable to fend off an attack. “Essentially, as these trees live over decades and they every year produce offspring, it attracts ... pathogens that affect those offspring,” Eck suggests. The identity and the workings of such pathogens are still unknown, but Eck and her colleagues are hoping to answer these questions in future research. For a forest, the implications of being controlled by bacteria might be profound. If pathogens can limit the growth of offspring near their parent trees, then they can shape the pattern of species intimately. Of course, the exact effects would depend on just how bad it is for seeds to fall near parents, compared with falling somewhere else, Eck points out. But over evolutionary time, the bacteria might select for plants that can cast their seeds far and wide. “There is increased selection pressure for seeds to disperse,” she says, “because basically no matter where they land, they’re better off.”

Robby Korth, The Roanoke Times Source: https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/newsletters/branching-out/2019_vol27_no1.pdf

The kudzu of the tree world could one day be controlled by a fungus. Virginia Tech graduate student Rachel Brooks is testing how the fungus verticillium attacks tree-of-heaven, an invasive species for which Brooks used the kudzu reference. The hope: that the fungus will help kill the tree, which grows just about everywhere. Tree-of-heaven spreads and grows rapidly, growing as much as five to ten feet a year. It often chokes out native plants and grows in

Can A Native Fungus Control Tree-of-Heaven?

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agricultural or urban areas. There is also some evidence that the tree is a preferred breeding spot for the invasive spotted lanternfly. The plant is prevalent at the Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center, where Brooks is studying it along with several other sites across the state. She’s inoculated a few of the trees with verticillium fungus. In a little more than a year, the fungus has killed the trees that were exposed. It’s also spread the fungus through the interwoven tree-of-heaven root systems to kill off many of the trees in the area. Brooks keeps coming back to measure the fungal effects. “The end goal is a product that you can buy in the store,” Brooks said. It will probably take two or more years of testing and navigating a series of regulations before that will happen, she said. A company would also have to find a way to commercialize the biocontrol. Currently, if landowners or government agencies want to control the tree, they use herbicides. That’s only a short-term solution that often only kills one tree. At a plot at the extension center in Raphine, located in northern Rockbridge County, Brooks recently infected a few trees and the fungal infection spread to surrounding trees-of-heaven. A control stand of trees-of-heaven is un-harmed less than a mile away. Other vegetation didn’t appear to be affected, which backs up a study conducted by a team of Pennsylvania researchers, she said. That makes sense. Verticillium fungus has been discovered around North America and has even naturally killed off trees-of-heaven in the New River Valley, Brooks said. The fungus is not expected to eradicate the tree from the continent. But it will help landowners and other people keep the rapidly growing, invasive tree in check. That can pave the way for plants to grow a little more naturally, Brooks said. “We want our native trees to have a place to grow.”

July 6 9:00 am Styling Tropical Bonsai Valley View Farms Bougainvillea, Portulacaria, and Ficus are the topics of conversation this month. Staff will be showing many types of these amazing bonsai materials, showing methods and sharing growing tips. July 6 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Anita C. Leight Estuary Center Join birder, Phil Powers, on a search for the beautiful marsh birds of Otter Point Creek. Cost: $10 pp To register: www.harfordcountymd.gov/225/Parks-Recreation July 8 (6 week course) Online Annuals, Perennials and Vines This collection of plants will add a burst of color to your landscape with exciting textures and blooms. Learn to recognize and use these garden favorites to accentuate your landscape with selections of plants that are best suited for growing throughout the country. Workshop offered in partnership with North Carolina State University. Cost: $179.00 by July 1 – after $189.00. For more information go to www.longwoodgardens.org or call 610-388-5454.

Continuing Education Opportunities

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July 10 – December 11 12:00 pm Online Webinars Water and Water Reuse in Agriculture Mid-Atlantic Women In Agriculture Wednesday Webinars Water is so important on the farm – but not all water sources are the same. This webinar will go over recent research on water quality differences between river, pond, and recycled water as well as explaining how recycled water could be a reliable alternative for irrigation water. To register: http://2019wednesdaywebinars.eventbrite.com For more information contact Sharon Dill - sdill@umd.edu – 410-822-1244 For upcoming topics go to: https://extension.umd.edu/womeninag/webinars July 19 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Woody Plant Conference Lang Performing Arts Center – Swarthmore College Conference includes topics such as: “The city is a landscape design through a Gardener’s lens” (David Rubin); “New hybrid oaks and other tough trees” (Nina Bassuk); “Worms in the Wood: effects of ecosystem engineers” (Bernd Blossey); “Gardener’s Voices- Beetles” & “Wild Collecting”; “Planting for life-planting for diversity” (Patrick McMillan). Lunch is provided. Cost: $119.00 by June 21; after $149.00. For more information or to register go to www.longwoodgardens.org or call 610-388-5454. July 24 – December 11 12:00 pm Online Webinars Introduction to Integrated Pest management Mid-Atlantic Women In Agriculture Wednesday Webinars Integrated pest management (IPM) is a broad based approach to keeping pests population below economic injury level. This webinar will review basic IPM principles, control tactics, and how to diagnose problems. . To register: http://2019wednesdaywebinars.eventbrite.com For more information contact Sharon Dill - sdill@umd.edu – 410-822-1244 For upcoming topics go to: https://extension.umd.edu/womeninag/webinars August 3 9:00 am – 11:00 am Spotted lantern Fly: What You Need to Know Longwood Gardens – Acer Room With the potential of damaging fruit crops, grape vines, and a wide range of landscape plants learn the fact about the menacing new pest. Amy Korman presents information about proper identification, an overview of their life cycle, susceptible plant species and methods of control. Fee: $29.00 To register go to www.longwoodgardens.org or call 610-388-5454. August 3 9:00 am Bonsai – Join Us for our Annual Nursery Walk Valley View Farms During this month we take our annual walk through the outdoor nursery looking for material to use for bonsai. Come find out how to choose appropriate nursery stock for use as bonsai material. August 3 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Wildflower Wonders Canoe Trip Anita C. Leight Estuary Slip into Otter Point Creek to discover the blooming beauty of the summer marsh, from the showy swamp milkweed to the humble groundnut. Cost - $12.00 pp To register: www.harfordcountymd.gov/225/Parks-Recreation

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August 3 1:00pm – 4:00 pm What’s Bugging You in Your Garden? Longwood Gardens – Acer Room Interested in learning how to best manage our home garden and landscape with minimal impact in the environment? Discover the weeds, insects and pathogens you may encounter throughout the growing season. Explore some of the best practices to help prevent these problems while cultivating a landscape that is kid -, pet -, and pollinator – friendly. To register go to www.longwoodgardens.org or call 610-388-5454. August 10 9:00 am Vegetable Gardening for Fall Valley View Farms Extend the vegetable growing season by replanting broccoli, cauliflower, lettuces and other cool season vegetables. We will also discuss growing garlic. September 1 – December 15, 2019 Becoming a Steward of the Land – UME Forestry Program Certification Program No Formal Classes Both paper and online versions of this course will be offered. This is a non-credit course with no formal classes – work from the comfort of your home using your won woodlot, a friend’s or a public forest. This course covers how to protect your trees from insects, diseases, and fire; step by step procedures walk you through a forest inventory and stand analysis; and details of the forestry business are presented, including tax nuances,sale and harvest of forest products. The course exercises help you develop the framework for a stewardship plan for your forest. Registration June 1! Cost: $150.00 includes copies of supplemental readings – paper version text and appendices are in binder form. Online users receive a flash drive of the paper version of text and appendices. Certificate of Completions is awarded when all assignments are complete. For more information contact Nancy Stewart, UME, Wye Research and Education Center at 410-827-8056 xt.107 or nstewar1@umd.edu September 5 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Invasive Plant ID for Professionals – RSVP Required Community Resources Building, Prince Frederick Learn to identify invasive plant species commonly found growing in landscaped and natural areas by examining cut samples from live plants. Following the presentation and plant identification exercise, we will apply our skill set by searching for invasive plants while walking a short distance along a parking lot to view landscaped plants then a paved path that meanders through a natural area with King Park to view wild growing plants. Limited space. RSVP by Tuesday, 9/3/2019 – registration call Calvert County Extension Office 410-535-3662. September 14 11:00 am Monarch Butterfly Tag and Release Valley View Farms Pam Spencer has raised thousands of Monarch Butterflies at her Baltimore County home. We will tag and release hundreds of butterflies as they get ready to migrate to Mexico to their winter roosts. Join us to lend a hand and be part of this awesome experience.

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Joyce Browning | Urban Horticulturist Master Gardener Coordinator | Harford County

Photos from: http://www.tanamabayahibe.com/en/hummingbirdpavilion.html www.gardenia.net www.homedecorfree.net

www.mtcubacenter.org

The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic

information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.

July-August Harford County Master Gardener Calendar

The below Calendar entries are only a small sample of the scheduled Master Gardener events. Please refer to the following link to view the entire Harford County Master Gardener calendar https://calendar.google.com/calendar/b/3?cid=bWFzdGVyZ2FyZGVuZXJzaGNAZ21haWwuY29t MG Stephanie Flash is the contact for changes and additions to our new calendar. Please send calendar requests, changes or additions to mastergardenershc@gmail.com

July 4- Enjoy your holiday celebration!

July 11 (Note Change: Second Thursday this July) 10 am Monthly MG Meeting Extension Office

July 13 Saturday 11 am Home Depot Plant with a Purpose booth

Bel Air Home Depot Only

July 22- 27 Friday-Saturday Harford County Farm Fair 608 North Tollgate Road Bel Air, MD 21014

July 25 Thursday 10 – 11:30 am Steering Committee Extension Office

August 1 Thursday 7pm Monthly MG Meeting Extension Office