• Sue Lowry
• Bill Wasson
• Berta Lewin
• Margaret Hill
• Sheryl Sinnot
• Leora Chambers
• Nancy Gill
• Ann Marlow
• Robert Shoop
• Kathy Ahearn
• Ed Rawles
• Terry Stoerger
• Tom Rollinger
• Martha Baddour
• Judy Fraker
• Patricia Plaut
• Donna Skaggs
• Laura Friedman
• Linda Isenhower
• Carrie Petracca
• Margena Worley
• Darlene Wirtz
• Annette Lansford

- Christine Martinez

Business Friends of MG awards:

• Country Arbors
• Whitledge Flowers
• Green View Nursery
• Kleiss Nursery
• Landscape Recycling
• Proven Winners

Friends of MG awards:

• Bill Bochte
• Lind Warfel
• French Fraker

Good Community Gardener award:

• Chris Tarant
• Peg Heileg

Golden Trowel award:

• Judy Fraker
• Siska Kallio
• Janet Glaser
• Mike Palmer
• Marsha Hall
• Priscilla Wood

Years of Service

5 Years:

• Howard Kemper ('95)
• Wilma O'Brien ('95)
• Jean Dawson ('96)
• Linda Fisher ('96)
• Dorothy Fritchie ('96)
• Bette Hughes ('96)
• Marilyn Parkhill ('96)
• Elizabeth Scholebo ('96)
• Ruth Walker ('96)
• Nila J. McAfee ('97)
• Judy Lay ('97)
• Gloria Levitt ('97)
• Carol McClure ('97)
• Jane Phillips ('97)
• Carolyn Burrell (98')
• Judith Liebman ('98)
• Paul Shaw ('98)
• Doris Shaw ('98)
• Joan Arnold ('99)
• Mary Connors ('99)
• Margaret Ford ('99)
• Margaret Hoffman ('99)
• Siska Kallio ('99)
• Karen Kane ('99)
• Cheryl Pettus ('99)
• Alice Pfeffer ('99)
• Karie Neukomm ('99)
• Priscilla Wood ('99)
• Ernest Young ('99)
• 10 Years:
• Phyllis Brussel ('92)
• Eleanor Sheffield ('92)
• Laura Jordan ('94)
• Maggie D. Roberts ('94)
• Laura Hartman ('92)
• Marcia Eischen ('94)
• Aporn Surintramont ('92)
• Mary Schroer ('94)

MG State Awards:

State Outstanding: Carolyn Purcell, Jim Simon, and Aporn Surintramont

State Teamwork: CC Crisis Nursery, Tracy Hickox - chair

- Christine Martinez

Happy Holidays!! There's a Ho- Ho- Whole lot of things going on with our group!

More Election Results just in!–and you thought that was over the week of November 2nd: 2005 MG Officers: elected at our Business meeting: Ann Tice, president, Jan Fisher, vice president, Jean Dawson, secretary, and Jim Simon, treasurer.

Advisory Meeting Notes: Come join us the first Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. All are welcome; we would love input on how to keep our group active, social, and fun. If you would like to know what we discuss, minutes are available in the office or ask to be put on the mail or e-mail list.

News: Jan Fisher and Siska Kallio will be on a committee to review and/or try to establish guidelines for local awards. Fiscal reports will be expanded to list expenditures for each major committee and Idea Garden section.

Speakers Bureau: to make things easier, prepared PowerPoint presentations are available along with the audio tape for reference for all who would like to give a presentaion.

2005 Trainees: Training is in Danville this year; we already have a number of applicants who will be interviewd Dec 8.

Idea Garden: Still need co-chairs for several areas–please help keep this wonderful garden looking great.

Garden Walk: Saturday, June 25. Theme is "Town and Country" AND they are working on having VENDORS at the IG for it!

A BREATH OF SPRING: GARDEN DAY 2005 Come enjoy "something old, something new, fantastic gardening just for you" at our 2-day biennial Garden Day! It will be held Friday March 4, 12-4 p.m. for MG's only, featuring Tony Avent and on Saturday, March 5 from 8 to 4 p.m. Four Fabulous Speakers: Ken Druse, reknown author expected to speak on "the passion of gardening," Tony Avent, owner of Plant Delights Nursery, has a wonderful catalog that features humor and fabulous, unusual plants and will be speaking on, "Falling Off the Cutting Edge- a Look at New and Unusual Perennials for Zone 5," Barry Glick, owner of Sunshine Farms Nursery speaking on, "Something Old, Something New, Something Yada, Yada, Yada"- another dynamic and fun speaker, and last, but not least, Erica Glasener of HGTV's "A Gardeners Diary," combining tried and true herbaceous plants with new introductions.

Help us continue to plan this event!! All are welcome to be on this committee–we meet again Tuesday, Jan 4 at 10am in the Extension office.

Program Committee is cooking up good things for 2005- they have an increased budget and hope to get speakers from around Illinois. They would love your help in planning – join them at 11a.m. on the third Thursday of the month.

And that's "the Holiday Wrap-Up"–hope you all have a peaceful and joyous holiday season. Gardeners tend to be optomists since we can look happily forward to the new year and what will be coming up in the spring.

- Ann Tice, MG President

My love of gardening is fueled by the thrill of trying new and different plants that I see growing in different places. Upon visiting several botanical gardens, I saw this unusual plant that was adorned by large funnel shaped blossoms which were 9 to 12 inches long and attached to a bud stem that was 6 inches long – my interest was piqued!

After some research, I learned it was a Datura. This plant grows in the tropics and when given the ideal growing conditions it can grow to a 15 to 20 foot tree. I searched until I found a source for the bulbs and purchased three bulbs; one pink, one yellow, and one white. I planted them as directed; in large pots and told them to grow and grow they did!

In August they produced many large buds which took about two weeks to open; they were spectacular! The yellow blossoms numbered seventy-five at a single time. The other two bloomed but did not have as many blossoms at one time. They were not fragrant, to say the least –– they had a putrid odor similar to the jimson weed that grows wild on the farm.

Further research taught me that they are in fact of the same plant species as nightshade and jimson weed. I also learned that the leaves are poisonous and some people have similar skin reaction to it as they do to poison ivy. They do not have many enemies when grown in the greenhouse. I grew my Datura on the patio until the first frost was predicted and then brought them into our heated sun porch for the winter.

If you like unusual plants, I recommend you try it. It is certainly different and beautiful! The botanical name is Datura inoria. It is also related to Dowey Thorn Apple; a plant I am not familiar with. More research in on my agenda for the winter when the snow is flying across the prairie in Illinois.

- Louis Lusader

Grasses, in all their varied shapes, sizes, habits, and colonizing abilities, grow everywhere... mountain slopes, open woodlands, seasides, lakesides, bogs and marshes, moors, steppes and open plains, from the tropics to the tundra. The German plantsman Karl Foerster called grasses "Mother Earth's hair".

Grasses have been a part of our human society since the beginning - seeds used as food, leaves and stalks used as building and roofing materials and fuel, and to fashion such useful items as baskets and boats and bedding.

Two such useful grasses are:

ARUNDO DONAX - Giant Reed grass. This is thought to be the first grass purposely brought to this country. It was brought by Spanish mission fathers who built animal pens out of the sturdy, tall canes. It has gone on to become a noxious weed in California - hard to eradicate. On the plus side, it is still used to make reeds for wind instruments.

MISCANTHUS GIGANTEUS - Giant Miscanthus or Giant Chinese Silver Grass is a naturally occuring hybrid...the seeds are sterile. This grass is being studied here at the U of I as a possible source of fuel. Grasses provide a great amount of biomass, and in Europe and England there are power stations that are fed by such biomas. Researchers here estimate an annual miscanthus crop grown for energy would be worth about $683 per acre.

But when did grasses become ornamentals? The first known listing of grass as an ornamental is in a 1752 English catalog. The grass listed was Feather grass (Stipa pennata). This grass is native to central and southern Europe.

One hundred years later, grasses were well established as ornamentals. And grass specimens were making their way back and forth across the Atlantic. Our tallgrass prairie plant, PANICUM VIRGATUM was much admired in England. It's often easier to see potential when it's not in your own yard, isn't it?

Early in the 20th century Gertrude Jekyll, the great English garden designer and author, was designing with certain grasses - she especially admired the large speciments - and there was a great surge, both in Europe and here in America, toward planting certain grasses. Their imposing and dramatic presence was much appreciated during the Victorian era. But then their popularity dwindled and all but disappeared in the commercial world. By the 1950's they were next to impossible to buy. "Ornamental grass" was thought of as "lawn".

In Germany, however, the great plantsman Karl Foerster didn't waver. Through world wars and the cold war, he collected and grew grass seeds from around the world - spending decades testing and finding out the best specimens. He wrote many articles and books on growing and using ornamental grasses in gardens. He influenced horticulturists and designers who followed him - from the 1950's and onward.

Here is a rough sketch, and I do mean rough, of how ornamental grasses came back to us.

In the 1950's, Wolfgang Oehme came here from Germany, where he had studied horticulture and landscape architecture. On a trip abroad, Richard Simon, of Bluemount Nursery in Maryland, met Kurt Bluemel, where he (Bluemel) was working in a Swiss nursery. Bluemel was persuaded to come to work with Simon in the family's Bluemount Nursery. Then Bluemel met Oehme. The two of them convinced Simon to grow grassees in his Bluemount nursery. Bluemount Nurseries offered the first collection of ornamental grasses.

Kurt Bluemel started his own nursery in 1964. Wolfgang Oehme worked for awhile with Bluemel, but then in 1975 he joined with James van Sweden to form Oehme, van Sweden and Associates, Inc. The rest is history.

Ornamental Grasses have swept to popularity, thanks to the influence of these men (and others) who saw the potential and the value of grasses as ornamentals in the garden and didn't give up trying to convince the rest of us to recognize the possibilities.

Most of this information on how grasses came into our gardens I gleaned from the book "Ornamental Grasses, The Amber Wave" by Carole Ottesen.

- Phyllis Brussel

Foetidissima is a scientific name for a plant which stinks. Iris foetidissima supposedly smells like roast beef. A vegetarian must have named this plant. Personally liking the aroma I decided to include it in my garden, little knowing that I would soon find my own reasons for calling it that darn smelly plant. Foetidissima.

I'm a guy so planting first and taking names later seemed the best approach. Besides, iris cultivation had to be easy. The first year I planted Iris foetidissima next to the bearded iris in full sun. Didn't water them any since I am an experienced garden expert and was well aware of how those rhizomes rot. Funny looking roots though on the ones I planted.

They all died. Hmmm. Did I miss something? Read the first paragraph about these stinking plants. They prefer shade?! If that isn't the strangest thing I ever read in all my two months of gardening. No problem. I can learn and adjust. I bought more and planted them in the shade of a large white pine.

Read the next paragraph in the encyclopedia of gardening. Iris foetidissima are drought tolerant, but need ample water to become established. Armed with a fifty gallon watering can, I killed both the iris and white pine. But I'm resourceful. I knew from reading an article on the Internet that spruces prefer more water.

Back to the local garden center. I bought a beautiful weeping Norway spruce which the manager explained to me needed soil acidification for best results. I bought a hundred pound bag of sulfur after I signed a government document that it wasn't for explosives. And yes lots of water would be good to get the tree established. I had already exhausted their supply of Iris foetidissima so I bought it elsewhere.

I practiced due diligence and considerable patience for a guy by waiting until the afternoon before I planted the spruce and iris after incorporating all of the sulfur in the morning. Didn't feel bored since I was taking one shower after another during that time. The spruce lasted one day and the iris considerably less.

Maybe I should read the entire article on what might have been my favorite plant. The sulfur burns on my hands made turning the pages difficult, but I felt challenged. I finished the entire first part, but it took three hours to find the second page with my elbows. Kept landing on Himalayan Poppy. Might try that next. Got to be easier.

Whew! There were only two pages in the article. A third page would have been way past my bed time. I finished the whole article with a plan for tomorrow. First scour the metropolitan area for more plants. Had to be a few remaining somewhere. Then go to a local produce store for a few limes. Might even pick up some Margarita mix. It was all clear now. A little lime and a little water and those stinking plants would do just fine.

- Robert Shoop

The Chelsea Flower Show is the most famous of its kind in the world. Preparations for the Chelsea Flower Show start many months before the event, which is held every year in Chelsea, London, UK on the grounds of the Royal Veteran's Hospital. These gardens are normally known as the Lanelagh Gardens that border on the Chelsea Embankment on the River Thames. The year 2004 marks the Bicentenary year for the Royal Horticulture Society or RHS, which sponsors many gardens throughout the UK. The Society, founded in March, 1804 in Hatchards Bookshop in Piccadilly by John Wedgwood and 7 plantsmen, is said to be the UK's leading gardening charity. This year the Society sponsored 21 show gardens and another 31 smaller gardens. The 2004 Chelsea show was held on May 25–28. It is rumored that the Society plans to extend the show an extra day, starting in 2005, as popularity demands.

Although not necessary, I simplified the process of attending the show by joining the RHS. This can be done on the web at www.rhs.org.uk. The RHS membership includes their publication, The Garden, which boasts 326,762 readers as of December 2003, an increase of 6.8% over the previous year. Included within this publication is a calendar of events for each month for all affiliated gardens. Membership assures one automatic entry to these gardens, scattered throughout the UK. Also included is a yearly handbook showing all affiliated gardens, with directional maps. At the Chelsea Show, RHS member days currently are the first 2 days and each member is allowed one guest. Buy tickets as soon as they become available, usually in late November. Tickets are VERY popular and limited. As was recommended in an article, I bought tickets to go on Tuesday, the 25th of May, the day after the Queen's visitation. Going early in the week assures freshness in the gardens and displays.

A car is not needed; actually it takes longer to get there in a car. Traffic is very congested. The underground tube is clean and efficient, an excellent choice if accommodations are not near enough to walk or taxi. If taking the tube, go to the Sloane Square Station which is only 5 minutes walking distance to the show. Book a hotel near an underground station if this is your plan.

Victoria Train Station, located in Westminister, is also near, there are hotels and good restaurants in the area. Reservations should be made early to insure booking.

Once inside the area of the show, which is enormous, be sure to have a map/program, and gather as much material ahead of time so you have an idea of what you want to see. The "telly" has worlds of information before and after the show, including commentary of the gardens and designers.

We got to the show early enough but as the day progressed there were more and more people. We had difficulty getting to the front row at some of the gardens, especially the GOLD winners. To top things off, the queues at the entrance were longer this year due to heightened security. Everyone had to be checked, of course.

It was interesting to see the Veterans all decked in their uniforms proudly greeting and helping people find their way. Although one hears of the rains and fog in London, we were fortunate to have a glorious, sunny, warm day. Still, raingear and comfortable shoes are a given for the day. An umbrella is NOT a good idea – best to bring the poncho.

You will need a special import license to bring plants into the U.S. Plants at the show are for sale on "take down day," so making note of your "to look for" list is a much better idea. There are vendors selling their wares, but instead of purchasing I decided to gather brochures and web sites for a later time. The highlights of the show can be seen at www.rhs.org.uk. (to be continued in next issue)

- By Bette Hughes

All Master Gardeners, including trainees, interns and actives are encouraged and welcome to attend any programs or meetings. All meetings and programs are held at the Extension office unless stated otherwise.

Don't forget to join the Morning Glories for coffee and camaraderie at Old Farm Paneras on Wednesdays at 7:30 am. Look for the morning glory flowers. Contact Bev Cotter 359-2703, bcotter1957@yahoo.com.

December

2, Thursday, 11:00 am - Program Committee Meeting. We still need a chairperson. Join us for a meeting and share your ideas for future programs.

2, Thursday, 1:00 pm – Advisory Committee Meeting. What do we talk about? Come and check it out.

7, Tuesday, 9:00 am – Garden Walk Committee Meeting.

8, Wednesday, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Interviews for new MG Applicants in Extension Auditorium.

December 14, Tuesday, 11:30 am - HOLLY DAY LUNCHEON – Kennedy's in Urbana. $10.00/MG and $17.25/guest. Please register by December 1st (333-7672 or cmartinz@uiuc.edu). When registering please specify which entrée you would like: salmon, grilled chicken, or angel hair pasta. There will be a useable "White Elephant" gift exchange. Wear your nametag and be eligible for door prizes. Yay, door prizes!

16, Thursday, 1:00pm – Idea Garden Committee Meeting. HELP!!...we still need several section chairs.

December 27 through January 31 – Extension office closed for the Holidays. Will reopen Monday, January 3.

January

4, Tuesday, 9:00 am - Garden Walk committee meeting

4, Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. - Garden Day committee meeting

6, Thursday, 11:00 am - Program Committee meeting

6, Thursday, 1:00 pm – Advisory Committee meeting

18, Tuesday, 7:30 pm – MG Monthly Program – 'Butterflies' presented by MG John Pingel. John gives a wonderful presentation on butterflies. Join us and enjoy some colorful and beautiful slides of butterflies.

19, Wednesday – MG Continued Ed: Plant Diseases with Nancy Pataky.

20, Thursday, 1:00 pm – Idea Garden Committee Meeting.

29, Saturday - Herb Day; Holiday Inn, Urbana.

31, Monday – MG training begins (Danville training site)

- Christine Martinez