Virtual Gardener

This is a series of articles written by Lesley Parness, former Superintendent of Horticultural Education at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum.  They include links to further information on the internet.

Click the titles to read the full articles.

  • Swat and Scratch!

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    What is this gardener’s bane? Worse than weeds, the mosquito can damage my garden by keeping me out of it! There are some 63 species of mosquitoes living here in New Jersey. Some will travel just a few yards for a meal, others can fly as far as 50 miles. The potential for contracting St. Louis Encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis or West Nile Virus through a mosquito bite makes them more than a simple pest.

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  • Kokedama

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    Hanging Kokedama Plant

    by Lesley Parness lparness@morrisparks.net

    Around this time of year, my fingers are itching to touch soil and roots. So learning about kokedama offered the perfect winter time planting technique. I first saw these charming plantings at last year’s Philadelphia Flower Show in the booth of City Planters, a Philly florist. I was enchanted, bought one and have been learning about them since then. At each of the following websites, you will need to search “kokedama.” Start at www.designsponge.com for a quick intro. Pretty cool, yes?

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  • Scent

    by Lesley Parness – lparness@morrisparks.net This year, fragrance is the Plant Sale’s theme. Likewise, it is the topic of programming for Garden State Gardens (www.gardenstategardens.org) and for a new cell phone tour here at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum. To get you up to speed, follow your nose to these sites. Start at coty.com to learn about our ...
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  • Our Pollinating Pals

    by Lesley Parness – lparness@morrisparks.net In reflecting back on this summer in the garden, I can definitely say that something was missing: Bees! What is more pleasant than dozing off on a mid-summer afternoon to the quiet drone of someone else (human or otherwise) working hard to improve your garden? Statistics confirm what our senses already ...
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  • Virtual Gardener Fall, 2011 Guiseppe Arcimboldo

    Virtual Gardener Fall, 2011 Guiseppe Arcimboldo – This season’s ArTboretum offering is an exhibit of pumpkins carved by artist Nelson Hancock. Nelson found his inspiration in the work of Italian painter, Guiseppe Arcimboldo (1526 – 1593). Born in Milan, Guiseppe Arcimboldo would rise to the ranks of “Royal Portraitist” in the Court of Emperor Maximillian II. ...
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