Clivia in the Classroom

Yellow clivia in the East Conservatory. These plants were pollinated to produce beautiful yellow berries. The berries yielded seeds for the participating students.

This year, Longwood kicked off a program to engage a new generation of clivia enthusiasts! As part of our “Clivia in the Classroom” program, we gave blooming-sized clivia plants and seeds to eight biology and horticulture teachers in area schools. During this school year, the teachers are using the plant materials as a class project where students can get hands-on experience growing and caring for clivias.

The students are being taught how to provide the proper cultural conditions to force their plants into bloom—just in time for the for the North American Clivia Society show, March 17 and 18, 2012, at Longwood Gardens.

The show will feature a special judging division for the students to enter their plants. We can’t wait to see how the students fare with their plants this March!

Each teacher was allowed to select their own plant to enter into the show.

In addition to taking care of the plants in the classroom, students from the participating classes received clivia seeds to take home and nurture year-round. All of the plants being used in the program are yellow-flowered and resulted from Longwood’s 36-year-old clivia breeding program.

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Sound Inspiration, Sound Designs

Historically, the students in Longwood’s Professional Gardener Program were given plots to design and maintain at their residences, so that they could be responsible for every aspect of garden design–from concept to implementation. But since last summer, the students have been creating new, unique gardens, named the Student Exhibition Gardens, for Longwood’s visitors to enjoy.

Design Sketch for the 2011 Student Exhibition Gardens

In conjunction with Longwood’s exhibit this year, Notes from the Forest (open through October 16, 2011), we were given the exciting and challenging task of creating 4 distinctly different garden spaces that incorporated the theme of sound.

Our creative process began to take shape last summer under the direction of instructor, landscape designer, and former Professional Gardener student, Dan Maffei. We were given the tools to begin the process. As with any new design concept, we met with our client, which in this case was Longwood Gardens. This valuable opportunity allowed the client to express their vision for this unique display at Longwood. After presenting and receiving valuable feedback from Longwood staff, we met with the Longwood Board of Trustees, and after a thrilling response, we were ready to move forward.

In the winter of 2011, again under the supervision of Dan Maffei, our class created a budget for plant and hardscape materials and a timeline for the project. During our Landscape Design and Construction class we learned basic construction skills, as well as a framework for combining basic elements in the garden design.  After many months of working and re-working our ideas in the classroom, we broke ground in April. With help from the junior class of Professional Gardener students we opened to the public on May 15^!

Our four distinct gardens have flourished throughout the summer! Below, each group of designers (in their own words) describes their concepts, showcasing the presence, or in some instances the absence of sound.

Nicole Blevins & Carolyn Scott

Installing the Arbors

The inspiration for our garden, Conduit of Color, developed from our intention to interpret how the human ear hears sound. When picturing the human ear, you can see how our pathways flow like the ear’s canal. At the center of our garden you find a mahogany deck that represents the eardrum.  We chose “loud colors concentrated in mass plantings that radiate like sound waves toward the center of the garden.  The colors are boldest at the “ear drum” and emanate outwards so that they are perceivable even from a distance!

Conduit of Color

The cone-shaped arbors at either end are adorned with the Passionflower vine, and are reminiscent of a phonograph horn.  Depending upon the interpreter’s gaze, these arbors may appear as either sound projectors or sound collectors.  As you stop at the wine barrel planter in the center, you are invited to gently engage a secret chime that hides underneath the deck. This feature reminds the individual to take notice of all the surrounding sounds, both the obvious as well as the subtle.

One of our favorite parts of the garden is the quiet seating area set back against the shady hedge. You can find solace here from the hot sun and refresh with the scent of pineapple sage that surrounds you.  While sitting, enjoy the assortment of cool, calm succulents that adorn the wine barrel planters set beside you.

Emily Mox & Tim Snyder

Tim and Emily Working

When Emily Mox and I (Tim Snyder) began working together on this project, we both knew right away that we wanted to create a garden that had an element of mystery or surprise to it.  We also wanted the garden to represent sound not only in a visual way, but also in an interactive way that would appeal to all ages.

After searching the Internet for ideas, we came across a PVC instrument (played with hands or paddles) created by a man named Dennis Havlena, who gave instructions on how to build it.  We then adapted the instrument, integrating it into the center of the garden and surrounding it with a series of curved walls that represent sound waves resonating outward.  The placement of the pipes and the curve of the walls help to create a surround sound effect as you play them.

Curved Walls Representing Sound Waves

The louder, brighter plant palette represents sound escaping out from the room and spilling down the paths, while the black ornamental peppers and leatherleaf sedge represent “sound shadows.”  The surrounding plants create contrast for the bright colors and represent “background noise.”

This garden took a lot of work and extra help, (for which we are grateful) as we built the curved walls and the instrument. We learned a lot in the process and we feel the garden has been very successful so far!

Erin Feeney, John Whipple & John Moore

The Frosted Glass Panels During Installation

Breaking Point is a garden of contrasts. The design features two spaces divided by a six-foot, segmented wall of frosted glass panels. On the exterior, a quiet palette of blue and purple-flowering plants are massed and organized by obvious bedlines. Walking through this part of the garden is calming and guests sense a distinct change when they pass through the wall and are nearly overwhelmed by a screaming red plant palette, narrowed path, and seemingly chaotic planting design.

We all agree that we really enjoyed designing and building the garden, despite the challenges that come along with installing a six-foot wall, but our favorite part has been watching and listening to guests experience the space. Erin explains, “The senses are truly heightened by the contrast, and the red is so much louder after passing through the blue.” In addition, the garden features some unique plants, Talinum ‘Kingswood Gold’ and Brillantaisia subulugurica.

Breaking Point

Summer Badawi/David Sincavage

Central to the concept of Sound Unfound was the construction of a hut that serves as a respite from the outside forces and also offers a dreamlike perspective of the garden from the viewing window.

Assembling this space from start to finish was an incredibly fun and creative experience for us! We built the hut from natural materials collected on Longwood’s property, which we wove onto a frame to create a very organic and curious structure.

Students Constructing the Hut for Sound Unfound

The plant material was selected by its color, texture, form and adaptability to the site.  The plants thematically move from the outside of the hut with soft, muted, low-lying tones and begin to pick up in color and height as the eye moves towards the back of the garden.  A visitor to this space would find themselves lost in sort of dreamy plant world full of peace and wonder.

We hope that you will be able to come and experience our garden creations during their peak bloom, now throughout September! You may walk away with some sound inspirations of your own.

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Now We Are Cooking… with Summer Vegetables!

Summertime is full of sunshine, blue skies, and the EXTREME temperatures that veggies love! The Professional Gardener (PG) student veggie plot is thriving on Red Lion Row (known fondly by the students as “The Row”) and we have been harvesting produce three times a week. It’s wonderful that the produce can be delivered to Longwood’s Terrace Restaurant within the hour of being picked from the field. You can’t get any fresher than that!

Snap Peas

During the early season, when things were a bit cooler than today, we harvested an abundance of snap peas and numerous kohlrabi heads. We began harvesting snap peas on June 5 and finished harvesting them in late June. Although it was a short season, we reaped a total of over 30 lbs, which everyone was pleased with.

Once the snap peas were spent they were replaced with cucumbers and summer squash, both started from seed in the ground. Since it has been so hot outside we have had to water these precious seedlings at least twice or sometimes three times a day to keep them moist and happy.

PG Vegetable Plot on Red Lion Row

Along with the heat comes watering the plot, a common everyday task for the Junior PG’s. We find it best to water early in the morning or late in the evening once the sun has gone down to support better water retention. Something to keep in mind when watering your own garden: Watering in the evening is not always ideal because the leaves remain wet and that prolonged dampness can encourage disease.

Currently we have been harvesting Swiss chard, carrots, summer squash and cucumbers—all of which are warm season crops that we will be able to harvest through September. Within the next few weeks, we will start harvesting eggplant, tomatoes and peppers. Last week, while I was watering the plot, I noticed that some of the Sun Gold Cherry Tomatoes were starting to turn yellow. We are already harvesting a substantial amount of them, which is very exciting.

Swiss Chard

Summer Squash: Golden Zebra (left)/Ronde de Nice (right)

Jason Belkov, Head Chef of the Terrace Restaurant at Longwood Gardens, shared one of his recipes that uses our summer squash. This is something you can taste while visiting Longwood, or we hope that you will make it at home with produce picked from your own garden!

Summer Squash Lasagna

Ingredients

(about 2 medium) yellow squash, sliced 1/4 inch thick (in lieu of pasta)
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup cooked sautéed sliced button mushrooms
20 spinach leaves
2 small tomatoes, cut up
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 garlic clove, minced

4 tbsp olive oil
1/2 teaspoon fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme
1/4 cup water
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Grill squash until tender and set aside. Pan fry onions & garlic with the olive oil and add carrots, mushrooms and bell pepper until veggies are tender. Add the spinach, tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, thyme, water & pepper.  Bring this all to a boil.
2.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes or until reduced to 2 cups.
3.  In small bowl add ricotta cheese & half of shredded cheese.
4.  In (1 1/2-qt.) baking-roasting pan arrange half of the tomato mixture. Top with half of the summer squash, half the Parmesan and all the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with remaining tomato mixture and then the squash slices.
5.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
6.  Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake 10 minutes longer.

Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
* Serving Size: makes 4 servings

A total of 220 lb. of produce has already been harvested from the plot, and we are only 7 weeks into the growing season! With how things are progressing, we expect to have a great season and look forward to learning more about vegetables by raising them, and sharing all of that knowledge with you!

Since the profits from the veggie plot benefit our class trip, I wanted to let you know that the Professional Gardener Class of 2012 will be traveling to China in October 2012, and we are very excited!

PG's in the Veggie Plot

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Plan to Plant

The veggie plot now with potato plants coming up in the forefront

Spring is finally here! Gardening and the joyful prospect of fresh vegetables are on the mind again in force. This year my experience with vegetable production is expanding as I organize Longwood’s  Vegetable Venture for the Terrace Restaurant. The Veggie Venture, as explained in a blog post last year, is a way to provide fresh, (extremely) locally grown vegetables to Longwood’s Terrace Restaurant while raising funds for the Professional Gardener student’s trip abroad. Not to mention the fact that it’s an amazing learning opportunity to gain practical knowledge in vegetable production! While we are seeking to build on last year’s experience, our goal remains the same: to produce high quality, low input produce for our guests at the Terrace

Restaurant.

A small seedling of Freckles one of our lettuce varieties

Last year was a success, and we were able to produce over 1,000 pounds of fresh veggies for the Terrace Restaurant. As I began planning for this year,  I was able to take into account what we learned from last year, including feedback from the Terrace Restaurant chef and manager. Although there are definitely some differences between planning for a home veggie garden and a vegetable garden for sale to a restaurant, I have found that many of the key considerations remain the same.

The major changes this year were a smaller space and a fewer number of crops. One of the parts of vegetable production I enjoy the most is planning and charting out my crops to produce a large harvest in a small space. Although it may seem counter intuitive, a smaller, well-managed plot can actually produce more than a large garden that becomes overgrown. Also, by reducing the diversity of crops, we hope to provide larger quantities of each.

Rodale's Garden Answers and our already well-worn planting plan.

Starting with a list of crops I knew did well in the past, I divided them into spring, summer and/or fall veggies and made sure to have a good number in each category for a continuous harvest throughout the whole season. (With some crops such as carrots, I like to relay crop them and plant multiple times throughout the season so we can have a constant harvest.) Then I calculated how much space we would need for each crop, and made a rough drawing of the space. (I like use graph paper to easily represent square feet.) Some of this knowledge simply comes from experience, but I have also found Mel Bartholomew’s Square Foot Gardening, and Rodale’s Garden Answers: Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs very helpful.  Our crop list includes; snap peas, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard, lettuce, kohlrabi, onions, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, summer squash, sweet potatoes, tomatillos, tomatoes, and winter squash. These crops were selected for their high productivity, range of harvest dates, and (in most cases) fewer pest issues.

Transplants growing in our student greenhouse

Now it was time to order seeds! Although there are many good vegetable seed suppliers, I have used Pinetree Garden Seeds for several years now, and have been pleased with their variety and well organized catalog.

Using the resources such as the books mentioned above, I calculated the sow date for each of the crops. Some we started in our student greenhouse, and others get directly

Pinetree seed catalog and seed packets

sown into the garden. Estimated harvest dates (very important for us so we can give the chef a head’s-up when crops will be harvested) were calculated using the sow to harvest days listed for each variety

in the catalog. This information, as well as crop spacing, transplant date, and total number of plants was all organized into one master spreadsheet.

Soon all this “dead of winter planning” will be fully realized as this warm spring weather continues transform our bare soil into a lush vegetable garden!

Check back here throughout the summer for updates on our Veggie Venture’s progress!

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French. Floral. Fun!

Longwood Gardens is pleased to welcome guest blogger Barbara Botting to “Behind-The-Plants!” Barbara was a first-time student in one of our Continuing Education Floral Design classes, and she is sharing her experiences with our readers.

I was thrilled to be invited to take a class at Longwood Gardens and to have the chance to learn the proper way to approach flower arranging! I work as a designer and stylist for editorial and commercial photography and film and often have to create arrangements for these projects. I have a sort of “make-it-up-as-I-go” approach, relying on my fine art education, an inspiration look-book I keep of lovely arrangements from magazines and my love of all things botanical.

Buckets of flowers to choose from

I chose French Couture Flower Arranging with Jane Godshalk—with my background in fashion, I could just imagine floral excess with attitude—how fun! Jane began the class with a slide presentation on the history of French flower arrangements and tied it into the couture fashions of each era. She then began her demonstration by showing us how to make the foundation for the vase and continued with an explanation of how to mass color and texture while she effortlessly created a gorgeous arrangement of cascading flowers enhanced by flowing, folded and artfully torn leaves. Jane also shared tips for those in the class who were interested in submitting an arrangement to the Philadelphia Flower Show.  After watching all this and learning the how-to techniques for using wires, tape and even a stapler, I was excited to execute my own arrangement.

My workstation in class, just before I started my arrangement

The classroom was impressive—all the supplies we needed were at our fingertips and besides Jane, there were experienced volunteers available to help. Buckets of simply breathtaking flowers and leaves were provided for us to choose from—roses, ranunculus, anemones, hydrangeas—an entire shelf of brilliant color and textures. Jane worked the room, sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge with each person, giving suggestions and answering questions. The energy in the class was super upbeat and fun. The four hours went by before you knew it and we were given the opportunity to have a look at everyone’s creation and share what we learned.

My finished arrangement

An arrangement I made the next weekend, inspired by the class!

The class was a delight and I wondered why I haven’t taken one before! My only regret was that I didn’t have my mom or a passel of friends to share it with me. I’m excited to work some of these inspiring techniques into arrangements for my styling projects and plan to send an update. Thank you, Longwood Gardens, for a truly inspiring experience!

Guest Blogger Barbara Botting

Ms. Botting is a visual artist whose work incorporates a variety of media. She has designed apparel for Urban Outfitters, the Gap and her own label soandsew. She is currently working as a stylist for print, e-commerce and commercial advertising. She also edits and styles private home interiors. Ms. Botting’s personal work, collages and bespoke necklaces, are made from found remnants and cast-off objects. She plans to have an etsy site and blog up soon!

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