Here are the totals for trash we took out.

3 tires

2 fibergalss poles

45 bags of trash

1 metal strap

1 large concrete blob

Picnic table parts

Various wood

1 Wooden bear

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In recent years, the Dean Bond Rose Garden has been hit hard by rose rosette disease. This is a disease believed to be caused by a virus that has been spreading through much of the wild rose population of the United States for years. It is of great concern to the nursery industry and to many home gardeners because it is known to be lethal to the wild multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) and it is potentially lethal to many ornamental rose species and cultivars. The disease is known to be spread only by a very small, wind-dispersed eriophyid mite, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus, or by grafting. We ended up with some very big vacancies in what used to be a robust display of roses. As we noticed the virus, we removed affected plants. This experience made us more aware of the hazards of spreading disease in a collection especially when it is a monoculture.

These major openings in the rose garden gave us an opportunity to replant with more disease-resistant and sustainable roses. The disease is not known to reside in soil, so it is fine to replant roses in the same place. There is no treatment for rose rosette disease. The major disease for which we use chemicals in the rose garden is black spot. Some rose species are naturally resistant to the disease, but the more “modern roses” such as hybrid teas or floribundas tend to need chemical intervention to keep them healthy.

Blackspot is caused by the fungus, Diplocarpon rosae, which overwinters on diseased rose canes and fallen infested leaves. Spores produced on fallen leaves are spread via rain or by water splashed to newly emerged leaves and stem tissue in the spring. Under ideal conditions of leaf wetness, humidity, and temperature the spores can germinate and infect in 1 day, cause symptoms in 4 to 5 days, and produce new spores that can infect additional leaves, flowers, and canes within 10 to 11 days. Spores are easily moved by air currents. Bill Costello, our Integrated Pest Management coordinator, rotates the spraying of three different fungicides on a 10 to 14 day basis every season beginning as soon as the roses leaf out until the end of the season. We chose rose cultivars that showed promise of black spot resistance and encouraged increased air circulation by planting roses less densely than they were previously planted.

Since most of the roses that had been affected were modern re-bloomers or shrub roses, we took guidance from the ongoing evaluations at the Peggy Duke Rose Garden at the New York Botanic Garden where they have been replanting their rose garden with disease resistant repeat-blooming modern roses. They share our northeast climate (http://www.nybg.org/gardens/rose-garden-home.php). They have done an excellent job of documenting the replanting and evaluation of roses for disease resistance. We also took recommendations from rose growers and other trial programs. There are several notable programs promoting roses that have been selected and tested for increased disease resistance. A few of the programs that we looked at when deciding what roses to plant are listed below.

Texas Pioneer Roses were developed at Antique Rose Emporium. These are the result of breeding the showiest and toughest antique roses and selecting carefree, repeat-blooming offspring. Disease resistance, thornlessness, and fragrance have also been valued in this breeding program.

Kordes Roses were developed through the breeding program of Germany’s preeminent nursery, W. Kordes Söhne. These are robust, extremely floriferous varieties that have typically won prestigious awards for disease resistance in trials in Europe. With extraordinarily healthy foliage, these roses are stand-outs among “no-spray” varieties. We chose many Kordes selections for replanting the Dean Bond Rose Garden.

EarthKind Roses are the result of testing at Texas A&M University that is ongoing. The tests are designed to identify rose varieties that can be grown well with no or minimal care and are highly disease-resistant and practically immune to blackspot. Stephen George, Ph.D. currently heads the program begun by Robert Basye, Ph.D.

Rose Cultivar Name             Type of Rose                        Flower Traits                                Introduced by:

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To replace the lawn in Cosby Courtyard, the irrigation system was removed and the area excavated.  Over the compacted subgrade, four inches of drainage gravel were added.  Next, the dry “Stabilized Grey Mountain Gravel” was put down.  After being thoroughly wetted, the product was compacted with a roller. Once dry, the product was ready for use.

This renovation project provided an opportunity for the Arboretum consolidate the artful display of container plantings. The big copper urn that had been tucked into the black bamboo, Phyllostachys nigra, was moved out onto the gravel as were several other containers. This allowed for a spectacular display of late summer plant combinations and a prominent area for the wonderful winter containers.  In addition to providing beauty and interest, the containers also help direct foot traffic through the area.

Although not a consideration for the renovation in Cosby, using “Stabilized Grey Mountain Gravel” could provide for up to five Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) points in the categories of stormwater management (2 points), reduction of heat island effect (2 points), and use of local/regional material (1 point).

“Stabilized Grey Mountain Gravel” is also being installed at the south entrance slope to the Scott Amphitheater as part of a project to improve accessibility into the Amphitheater.

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Last Thursday we had the 5^th annual Crum Creek Clean-up. 38 people helped clean-up the creek and surrounding areas. Tasks included: trash removal, trail maintenance, and invasive and weed removal.

One group spent their time in and around the holly meadow pulling vines off of some of our native deciduous hollies (Ilex verticillata). They also removed several plants of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) that had established themselves in the holly meadow. They ended up with a whole dump truck full of weeds.

Three small groups set out in different directions throughout the trails of the Crum Woods to gather all sorts of trash.

Another group performed trail maintenance including the hard work of installing 5 water bars. Water bars are timbers that are buried into the trail at an angle across the trail with a low trench above the bar. They are intended to intercept and slow water runoff coming down the trail by diverting it to the lower side of the trail. The group also cleaned out sediment and debris above many existing water bars along the trail to improve their function.

Yet another group had the task of removing trash from the Crum Creek itself. These folks were up to their chests in the stream digging out tires, lumber, plywood, bottles and many other things. They worked mostly upstream from the SEPTA trestle at the holly meadow using rowboat and canoe to haul trash out of the creek to the trucks. Because the water was so low and still, it was easier to see and remove some of the deeper trash that we couldn’t get during previous spring clean-up events.

All together we collected the following trash:

22 tires

29 bags and 3 buckets of trash

3 plastic pipes

1 traffic cone

1 small appliance

Lots of wood

Shovel

5 pieces of fiberglass

2 bowling balls

1 tire rim

1 wooden crate

1 bike helmet

1 case recyclable bottles

1 angle iron

1 smashed TV

1 bike wheel

1 bike tire

1 galvanized garbage can

1 light off of traffic barricade

1 diamond ring

Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who helped with another successful Crum Creek Clean-up.

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This time of year is an exceptionally beautiful time at the Wister Garden. To step through the woodland’s edge, one feels as if they’ve discovered a secret garden. Walking around the back of the house, one is greeted by a spectacular spring display in a riot of pinks. The branches of the many rhododendrons and the Kousa dogwoods hang heavy with blossoms. The paths are lush and inviting, causing you to duck under branches laden with flower clusters bigger than your head. The pinks of the rhododendrons are accented by the pinks and purples of the geraniums and phlox blooming in the herbaceous layer of this woodland garden. Irises are peeking out here and there along the edges of paths. The tree peonies hang heavy with the last of their blossoms while the flowers of herbaceous peonies are just peeking out in shades of white and striking pinks. As the foliage of the winter aconite fades to yellow, the many native ferns are reaching up in a cool green lushness. The trunks and branches of mature rhododendrons frame many views looking down towards the Crum Creek below.

Unfortunately, in Monday’s storm we lost the large yellowwood that stood tall at the end of the driveway. Remarkably, it did little damage to the surrounding yellowroot and Hellebores or to any of the nearby rhododendrons.

Stop by anytime to experience the wonder of the Wister Garden for yourself.

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