Having just returned from The Morton Arboretum, I am reminded of how enjoyable it is to visit an outdoor museum and garden. For me, it is especially nice to walk around and experience all the quiet beauty, a peaceful and contemplative time...perhaps that is because I am not in my own yard, noticing things that I should be attending to! In any event, I hope you take time to visit our local horticultural destinations...we are very fortunate to have such a rich selection.

Volunteer Opportunity -Volunteers are again needed for the annual Back to School Fair scheduled this year on August 1 from 11:00 am to 6:30 pm at the Odeum in Villa Park. The Back to School Fair is a "one stop shopping" event of Health and Human Services for low-income families living in DuPage County. As in the past, volunteer time given by Master Gardeners will count toward the Master Gardener volunteer yearly commitment. Additional details regarding volunteer times and positions can be found on the volunteer registration form included with this issue of your newsletter. Volunteers are especially needed for the afternoon/evening 2:30 pm – 7:00 pm time frame. Please share the volunteer form with others who share an interest in volunteering.

As co-chair of the volunteer committee, thank you in advance for helping. I hope to see you at the Fair.

Garden Clinic- Thanks to the MG's who have helped with the garden clinic this season. The first day was extremely busy, as Jim Keith discovered. Then the second day was relatively quiet (nothing like the first day!), and so the story goes. We really never know quite what to expect. Hopefully, as the news spreads, more home gardeners will stop in. Help us spread the word that we are here to help! Also, when you are on the phone at the office, encourage folks to bring their specimens on those garden clinic dates. We are trying very hard to have samples brought during those times, and not just "any ol' time."

Garden Clinic
1st and 3rd Thursdays, 1-3 pm At the Extension Office
Plant and insect specimens welcomed!

Millennium clock garden- Be sure to stop by the millennium clock garden in downtown Glen Ellyn. Our te am of MG's has done an outstanding job with planting and maintenance.

New MG badges andshirts- Stop in to pick up your new MG name badge...they are in your blue envelopes. The new MG apparel has arrived, but it is a partial shipment. Many items are here, but the sport shirts (golf shirts), hats and a few miscellaneous sizes were back-ordered. The clothing, totes and patches look great!

Farmers Markets- We will be participating at the farmers markets in Naperville and Bartlett. You should have already received a mailing on the Naperville location. Please call the office to sign up for a time slot. This is a wonderful opportunity to help folks with their garden questions and to market Extension services. Bartlett organizers called and said they are very excited to have MG's participate and will advertise this in their local paper.

Easter Seals of DuPage County Children's Garden- Elaine Weil and Kathy Dunn are just blooming with ideas at Easter Seals of DuPage County. For such a challenging area, she has performed miracles with the kids. They've already harvested their radishes and lettuce.

The sensory garden smells so good with stock, apple geraniums, chocolate mint and chives. Mimosa is always fascinating to kids because of how it folds when touched.

The kids put their best foot forward when they planted a shoe garden. Elaine, you're doing a fabulous job. You get many thanks from the kids and us with their smiling faces and sparkling eyes. Thank you!

Due to a computer problem, some of the volunteer hour entries were deleted. Please check your reports carefully and call Joan if you find that your hours are not accurate. We apologize and ask your help to correct this error.

Junior Master Gardener pilot progr am is completed- We have just finished our second pilot for the JMG program. Many thanks to both MG teams for all their time and work. It takes a lot of planning to pull this off!

From January – April, every other Wednesday, Lynn Bement, Vicki O'Rourke and Sandy Perakis conducted JMG hands-on activities with 7 – 9 kids at the Resource Center in Glen Westlake Middle School, Lombard. Our other MG team, Nanette Kalscheur and Mary Toohey, held the JMG workshops at our office conference room. For eight straight weeks, they organized and led seven third and fourth grade 4-H'ers through many activities.

We really appreciate the follow-through and commitment from all of you. It was an important learning experience and our results will be shared with the state. The other 11 pilots are turning in their evaluations too. We'll keep you posted on the future JMG offerings.

- By Rae Baldwin, Unit Leader

These field trips will count as Enrichment Training for re-certification.

Cantigny Field Trip, August 7- We've been invited to join Cantigny volunteers on their summer field trip. This year they will be traveling by bus to central Illinois to view gardens at 2 destinations. The first stop is Allerton Park, which is an estate with formal and informal gardens. A noon stop for lunch is scheduled and then on to the Urbana-Champaign campus. There, everyone will tour the Champaign County MG Idea Garden and also the AAS Trial gardens, located nearby. The estimated return time to Cantigny is 7 pm that evening.

If you would like to sign up for this daylong gardening adventure, please call the Extension office by August 1 to register. There will be a fee of $25, which includes the bus and "breakfast." Lunch is on your own. This trip is limited to 25 Master Gardeners, first come – first served. Please make checks payable to Cantigny Foundation.

Agenda –Tuesday, August 7

• Be at the Cantigny Greenhouse in Wheaton by 6:30 am. Enter at the Shaffner Rd. gate. Bus will leave around 7am. The tour bus is air-conditioned and has a washroom. A breakfast treat will be enjoyed during the bus trip. Bring your own travel mug for a beverage.
• first stop: Allerton Park, 10:00am. Formal tour begins (approx 2hours).
  
• Lunch stop: The Brown Bag restaurant, pay for your own lunch (1 hr.)
  
• Following lunch, travel to U. of I. to see the Idea Garden, AAS Trial Gardens, and if time allows, The Japanese House. (2 hours)
  
• Return to Cantigny around 6:30-7:00 pm

Ball Seed Trial Gardens Field Trip, August 23 - Join Susan Grupp and fellow DuPage MG's at Ball Seed Trial Gardens in West Chicago on Thursday morning, August 23. Interestingly, some of our fellow Kane County MG's have been trained and will serve as our tour guide(s) that morning. The tour will begin at 9:00am. and last approximately one hour. Then you are free to walk around their gardens on your own. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Please wear your MG badge.

Advance registration is required prior to Aug 8. Call the Extension office at 630-653-4114 to register. Space is limited. There is no charge for this tour. A confirmation with a map of directions will be mailed to all registrants.

If you signed up to help collect insect and disease specimens for Susan, or if you want to help out now, here is the list she needs. These samples will be used for classes she teaches and also for the MG office. Keep track of hours as this also counts toward volunteer time.

For all leaf samples, please collect and press them. Then, label each sample and bring them to the office. They will be placed in a protective container for future viewing. Do not place in plastic bags. Insect specimens should be collected and placed in a crush proof container (small pill bottle, film vial, etc) and brought to the office. Please make sure they are labeled. Do not put insects in alcohol, unless noted.

Disease samples
Apple Scab on Crabapple (leaves)
Cedar Rust Gall from the upright Juniper
Rust on Hawthorn (leaves, fruit)
Anthracnose on Maple (leaves)
Anthracnose on Ash (leaves)
Anthracnose on Sycamore (leaves, buds, stems)
Sooty Mold (on any plant sample)
Powdery Mildew (on Lilac, Monarda, and Phlox leaves)
Sphaeropsis Tip Blight (on Pine tips)
Crown Gall (on Euonymus stems)
Verticillium Wilt (stems)
Aster Yellows on Marigold

Insect samples
Carpenter Ants
Pavement Ants
Earwigs
Sow Bugs
Drain Flies
Black Vine Weevils - insects and pressed leaves exhibiting damage
Indianmeal Moths
Japanese Beetles - insects and pressed leaves exhibiting damage
May/June Beetles
Southern Masked Chafer Beetles
Lady Beetles, adults & larva
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles
Millipedes
Columbine Leafminer (leaves with damage)
Chrysanthemum Leafminer (leaves with damage)
Iris borer (leaves, rhizome with damage, larva if possible, in alcohol)
Flea Beetles (insects and the damaged leaves)
Slugs (damaged leaves, slugs in alcohol)
Fleas
Silverfish
Boxelder Bugs
Ground Beetles
Clover Mites
Be very careful with the next 3!
Bald-faced Hornets (already have plenty of nests!)
Honey Bees
Yellowjackets
Cottony Maple Scale
Euonymus Scale
Leucanium Scale
Oystershell Scale
Bronze Birch Borer (insect and damage)
Annual White Grubs
Cucumber Beetles
Colorado Potato Beetles (adult and larva)
Picnic Beetles
Squash Bugs
Eastern Tent Caterpillar egg mass
Birch Leafminer (damaged leaves)
Flower Galls of Ash
Gouty Oak Galls
Maple Bladder Galls (leaves)
Succulent Oak Galls
Honeysuckle Aphid witches-brooms
Honeylocust Plant Bugs (insects and damaged leaves)

Andrew Jackson Downing (1815-1852)

By Ann O'Leary

When the steamboat Henry Clay caught fire and burned in the Hudson River on July 28, 1852, one of the lives lost was famous landscape designer and horticultural author, Andrew Jackson Downing. His death was considered by all "a truly national loss."

Downing was born in Newburgh, New York in 1815. He left school at age 16 to join his older brother, Charles Downing, in managing the family business: The Botanic Garden and Nurseries. It was there that he developed a broad knowledge base of horticulture principles.

His first book, published when he was 26 years old, was called A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening. Downing goes into detail about the description of trees and their place in landscape design and touches on the importance of laying out grounds. He also describes the ornamental uses of water and statuary in the garden. This book was very innovative and brought him fame in the field of horticulture.

Downing went on to write other books. He wanted to help the small homeowner and printed a book of designs for landscaping called Cottage Residences. Next Downing wrote a book about one of his first loves: the planting and care of orchard trees called The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America. This book was extremely popular and its technical information put Downing into scientific circles in both Europe and America. In addition to publishing books, Downing wrote a monthly magazine, The Horticulturist and Journal of Rural Art and Rural Taste, in which he encouraged eyecatching designs in a country setting.

After publishing his final book: The Architecture of Country Houses in 1850, Downing began to expand his design firm and prepared layouts for large private residences in the vicinity of Newburgh, New York and Washington DC.

As early as the mid 19th century, Downing realized that there would be another set of residences between the cities and the country that would be referred to as the suburbs. Since he saw this exodus from the city life as unavoidable, he advocated that the suburban lifestyle would be more pleasant if the subdivisions were laid out with curved streets and that a park would be the central attraction of each new subdivision.

Downing's most important contribution, however, was the fact that he was very vocal about the need for public parks in the United States. He noted the rapid growth of the urban population, and was insistent that the people who lived in the city needed a place to go to socialize, enjoy recreational activities and study nature. He was commissioned to design the park around the Washington Monument and used this opportunity to create the first large public park in America. The park was not finished before Downing's unfortunate death, but to the American public, he was known forever as, "The Father of the American Parks."

Inquiring minds have emerged yet again in our office. People are finding animal tracks on their leaves. No – we're not talking raccoon or deer. These tracks look like squiggly lines on the leaves. Almost like Etch-a-Sketch when you turn both knobs at the same time.

What are they?? They're actually called Leafminer tracks and are caused by Leafminers. These Leafminers are insect larvae that feed inside a leaf, between the upper and lower surfaces. They have to be small because of their living space. The thinner the leaf the flatter and smaller the Leafminer. They could be larvae of flies, moths, sawflies or beetles. Females lay their eggs on or in the leaves and the larvae burrow into the leaves. The leaves may have a scorched look. Leafminers are protected because they live inside a protected "shell" of the leaf. Once they're inside the leaf, the only way you can break thru the "force field" is using a systemic approach with your pesticide. Good luck and may the force be with you.

*Note: Typically we don't worry about this "pest" because it usually does not cause enough injury to be harmful to the health of the plant. Most of the time it's an aesthetic problem only.

Fourth of July is a time to think about our independence and all the "unsung" heroes. Actually, we have a hero amongst us. Who? Well, it's our fearless leader Susan (does she need a last name?) Grupp. I was in the office this week struggling for answers when Susan came in for the Plant Clinic. She is just amazing!! Definitely deserves all the respect and more she gets! Susan, we don't take the time to thank you for all the knowledge you share with us! It comes so naturally to you to educate and help people. It's a special gift – thank you!

Point to ponder: The most frustrating part of being "the new kid on the block" is the dreaded first day in the office.

As you're driving in, you can feel the metamorphosis taking place. Off comes the parent hat, the spouse hat, the 'whatever you normally do for a living' hat and on comes the Master Gardener gloves.

The morphing is complete only after you've sat down to take the time to save time. Huh? Take the time to read "Home Yard and Garden Pest Newsletter." Upon completion, I guarantee you will be able to spot the latest disease at 50 paces, know the latest infestation of bugs, and be capable of identifying turf problems under foot. All this information is provided to save you time. So, take the time. It's your time to be informed!!

DuPage County Fairgrounds - When I think of Ferris wheels, I have visions of my son and I yelling "get me off this thing", but this Ferris wheel is just a picture of beauty with cascading New Wave Petunias (a new denser variety making them less gangly). The Ferris wheel garden is 21' x 19' leaving plenty of room for Licorice, Catnip, Dusty Miller, Blue Annual Salvia and, of course, the grasses. With all this beauty, comes the beast of watering. This is almost as large of a project as planting!

Doing an amazing job of coordinating and designing this centerpiece for the DuPage County Fairgrounds is Carol Strelecky. With careful planning and help from her te am of Master Gardeners, Linda Armacost, Margaret Boback, JoEllen Dakin, Linda Jegen and Ellen Kangas, they have created a beautiful piece of living art. Definitely a must see at the entrance of the DuPage County Fairgrounds. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication.

- By Ambi Pelligrini

July 25, Cantigny, Let's Do That Bloomin' Summer Annual Thing! 6 pm, $20

July 25-29, Chicago Botanical Gardens, Garden Walks, Home Landscape Garden. 11 am & 1:30 pm

July 26, U of I Extension Office, Steps to a Healthy Lawn, 6:30-8:30 pm

July 28, Morton Arboretum, Second Annual Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Forum. Includes presentations and discussions about natural areas research in the region, including monitoring native plants and animals, and enhancing native ecosystems. Registration required. 9am-5pm. $80 ($65 members). 630-719-2468

July 28, Chicago Botanical Gardens Enabling Garden, Healthy Gardening Program, 11 am and 1 pm

July 28 & 29, Chicago Botanical Gardens, Northshore Iris and Daylily Society Daylily Show and Sale. Sat. 10am-4 pm (sale), Sun. Noon-4 pm (show and sale).

August 1-5, Chicago Botanical Garden, Garden Walks, Japanese Garden. 11 am and 1:30 pm

August 1, Cantigny, An In-Depth Look at the Idea Garden. 9:30 am, $10.

August 2, Cantigny, Twilight Tour of the Gardens with Refreshments. 6:30pm, $20.

August 4 & 5, Chicago Botanical Garden, Salsa Festival, Fruit & Vegetable Garden, 10am-5pm.
Windy City Indoor Gardeners Show & Sale. Saturday, noon – 5pm. Sunday, 10 am – 5pm.

August 8, Cantigny, So, You Want to Have a Cutting Garden? 6:30pm, $20

August 9, Cantigny, Twilight Tour of the Gardens with Refreshments, 6:30pm, $20

August 15, Cantigny, Enticing Butterflies to your Garden, Instructor: Susan Grupp. 6:30pm, $20

August 17-19, Chicago Botanic Garden, Midwest Bonsai Society Show & Sale. Friday, noon-5pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-5pm.

August 25, Chicago Botanical Garden, Healthy Gardening Program, Enabling Garden.

August 25 & 26, Chicago Botanical Garden, Bromeliad Society Show & Sale and Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale. Saturday, 1 pm – 5pm, Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm.

August 26, Garfield Farm, LaFox, Illinois. Heirloom Garden Show. Once common and now rare types of flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs displayed and sold by midwestern growers. Member participation by the Seed Savers Exchange. 11am-4pm. $6

September 8 & 9, Chicago Botanical Garden, Midwest Daffodil Society Bulb Sale. 10am-4 pm

September 9, Garfield Farm, LaFox, Illinois. Prairie Walk. The annual September prairie walk is always the most colorful. Reservations required, $5.

- By Deb McCullough

Well, summer is well under way and so is the challenge of keeping our gardens blooming, producing and WEED free! The key word for summer is truly "challenge." It is that challenge that keeps gardeners passionate. We never know from one day to the next what Mother Nature has in store for us. My mind is so full of the "why's and why nots" and the "how's and how to's" that I thought I might share some of them with you. In the meantime, have a good summer and don't forget to allow plenty of time for deadheading to help prolong the beauty you have worked so hard to achieve.

Ants, Ants and More Ants...If you are like me, ants are among my least favorite pests. Under almost every rock, in almost every shovel of dirt, on almost every plant... "Ants"! And don't you just love those big hills smack dab in the middle of the lawn? Well, there are many ways to rid ourselves of those little buggers with pesticides but this little trick works well for me.

Cover the anthill with a large flowerpot whose drainage hole has been plugged with a cork or tightly wadded plastic wrap. Heat a bucket of water to boiling and flood the surrounding soil, reserving a few gallons of water. Wait a minute or two for most of the ants to find shelter in the overturned pot, then turn it upright and pour in the remaining water. It never hurts to pour a couple gallons right on the hill too...

If they are after your fruit trees, use a piece of contact paper folded in half and wrap it around the trunk to keep them from reaching their destination.

Daylilies are wonderful fillers and oh so colorful...Although their beauty is brief, one day... they are still quite the popular addition to fill in any garden. Be sure to give them plenty of room when you plant the new additions, as they will become full quickly. Look for two fans when buying a clump. It means the plant is more mature, which will greatly increase the likelihood of bloom in the first season. Protect the red ones – red daylilies need some relief from the hot afternoon sun since these varieties tend to burn more easily than others.

The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out...
Safeguard your worms; you'll hear me shout! A garden filled with earthworms is a healthy garden. That's because they turn raw organic materials into a rich manure called castings. These slender coils of fertile humus can often be found by the entrances to the underground tunnels. You can scoop up the nutritive castings and use in pots, planters or window boxes where worms normally can't visit.

To avoid killing your friendly worms, work in the middle of the day when they burrow deep into the ground. When digging and planting, use a garden fork, not a spade. Contrary to popular belief, an earthworm that has been cut in half cannot regenerate.

Have a beautiful bud vase that is tipsy??
Try weighing it down with some colored sand. Those lovely slender bud vases do have a way of tipping over rather easily, but it's not a good enough reason to stop using them for our one or two prize blooms we want to enjoy indoors. Regular sand works fine in an opaque vase but the clear glass or crystal ones can become even more colorful with a couple of layers of the craft sands. Just make a paper funnel and layer in a color or two or even three. Just be sure that the cut ends of the stem can still take up the water that they need to keep the flower fresh for days.

Kids grown out of their wading pool? Don't toss it... reuse it! An old wading pool can find new uses in the garden. Fill it with a heavy load, such as stones, mulch, compost or a large transplant, and slide it to the desired location. (Oh, how your back will thank you!) You can also use it to mix and store soil or, come winter, to coil garden hoses in it.

Lavender inside and out is lovely, fragrant and has many uses... Lavender has been a prized perennial for such a long time. It can soften hard edges in the garden because of its mounding and slightly sprawling habit. It can be harvested for drying either when the buds just open or when it is in full bloom. Dry it in a cool, airy spot and strip the stems. In the laundry, put flowers in a handkerchief, tie it tightly, and toss it in the clothes dryer. Your clothes will emerge perfumed.

At bedtime, folklore holds that a little bag of dried blooms slipped inside the pillowcase will help you sleep. Make a wand of a clipped bunch of blossom sprigs about six inches long and tie the stems with ribbon. Tuck it in the closet or a drawer or even slide it behind the mirror in the bathroom to add a lovely fresh fragrance. You can even sprinkle dried stems in the fireplace come winter and as they burn, ahhh... what a nice smell!

- By Joyce Ernst

Thieves, Deceivers and Killers. Tales of Chemistry in Nature by Willi am Agosta.
(Princeton University Press, 2001, 241 pages)
Reviewed by Jim Keith

Don't be misled by the title; this is really an interesting little book that will hold the attention of gardeners and other nature lovers. In its pages you will find truly fascinating stories of the ways that insects and other organisms communicate by means of chemical signals.

Among the more intriguing are:

• Ants that are tended by workers and never do any work on their own – in fact, they die when deprived of their workers.
  
• A butterfly whose larvae must be adopted by ants to survive.
  
• A wasp that invades the ant nest to prey on the same butterfly larvae.
  
• A complex relationship among the white-tailed deer, the white-footed mouse, the gypsy moth, and the white oak that influences the local population of deer ticks (and thus the incidence of Lyme disease).
  

I'm left with a sense of awe at the amazing complexity and interrelatedness of life on our planet. Even if you're not a "bug person," this book is well worth your time.

Aster x frikartii 'Monch' & 'Wunder von Stafa'. Tall growing with soft gray-green foliage. Masses of clear blue flowers from July on. Full sun.

Chrysanthemum (now Leucanthemella) serotinum. (Hungarian Daisy). A strong back-of-the-border plant. Tallest of the white daisies for 6 weeks in August and September, before the late asters begin. Full sun.

Corydalis lutea. (Fumitory) Lacy, filigree leaves and short spikes of tubular bright yellow flowers. Easily grown and self-seeding. Sun or partial shade.

Knautia macedonica. Crimson pincushion flowers on tall branching stems throughout summer. Full sun.

Lathyrus latifolius. (Perennial Sweet Pea) One of the easiest growing vines for a full sun position. Provides either magenta or white trusses from summer to fall.

Linaria purpurea. (Purple Toadflax) This plant produces an endless display of slender stems bearing tiny snapdragon flowers in purple, pink or white. Sun to partial shade.

Nepeta x 'Six Hills Giant'. (Catmint) A true 'cut and come again' plant. After a beautiful June display, old flower heads can be cut back and the plant will re-bloom. Cut back again and it will bloom a third time. Full sun.

Penstemon smallii. (Small's Beardtongue) Soft purple, lilac throated flowers on a bushy upright plant. Full sun.

Phlox paniculata 'David'. Large white trusses for six weeks on this tall plant with mildew resistant foliage. Will bloom again on small branches off the main stems. Full sun.

Salvia x superba 'May Night'. Compact, dense clumps crowned with spikes of rich violet blue flowers. Needs to be deadheaded to perpetuate bloom. Full sun. Also in this group are S. 'Blue Hill' with true blue flower spikes and S. 'Amethyst' with mauve flowers.

Scabiosa columbaria. (Pincushion Flower) Graceful stems carry the softest blue flowers from June to August. Also a dwarf form called 'Nana'. Full sun.

Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'. (Speedwell) Bright green crumpled leaves and short dense spikes of deep blue flowers. Full sun.

- By Kathy Riley

As I promised, I am giving a current progress report on the "hopefully thriving" blueberry bushes. Well, they're alive and growing! Much to my continued "novice" gardener amazement, bare root plants really do grow nicely. It's hard to believe that the naked sticks one receives in the mail will actually become the plants pictured in those multitudes of mail order catalogs, but they do. My blueberry bushes are now fully leafed out and growing. They are still rather small, but appear to be healthy. I have added more dried pine needles, some coffee grounds here and there and a dose of Miracid for measure. I have enclosed the bushes with wire mesh so the bunnies will leave them alone and I have not seen any insect problems as of yet. They appear to be shallow rooted so I try to keep a close eye on my watering. Other than that, my fingers remain crossed and the vision of that blueberry pie feels a bit more realistic.

- By Joyce Ernst

For anyone with a keen interest in butterflies, there is a beautiful new book, Field Guide to Butterflies of Illinois by John K. Bauseman, associate professional scientist, and James G. Sternburg. This field guide contains over 325 photographs and information about butterflies of various species. The purpose of the book is to enable the user to identify by species any butterfly found in Illinois. It was published in January 2001 by the Illinois Natural History Survey and is available from the Survey's information office by phone (217-333-6880) or e-mail (rjohnson@mail.inhs.uiuc.edu). The price is $19.95, which includes domestic shipping.

NOTE: Susan has a copy in her office.

In the Sunday, April 15, 2001 edition of The News-Gazette, pages E-1 and E-5, an article by Kirby Pringle titled "Nature's Icons" promoted the book. The article noted, "There are about 100 known species of butterflies in Illinois, ranging from the well-known monarch to the rare and endangered swamp metalmark." Most are photographed and described in the book.

To further explore an interest in butterflies, an exhibit titled "Living Colors: A Butterfly Garden" will run May 25 through September 3, 2001 at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

Also, the exhibit "Butterflies" at Brookfield Zoo is now open. It is a 3,000 square foot screened-in garden.
Source: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Newsletter #5.

- By Ann O'Leary

Easy-to-grow: Cosmos, Portulaca, California Poppy, Marigold, Celosia, Vinca, Petunia, Zinnia.

Shade or Semi-shade: Coleus, Impatiens, Begonia.

Hot, dry locations: Cosmos, Portulaca, Vinca, Creeping Zinnia.

Poor soils: California Poppy, Celosia, Portulaca, Iceland Poppy, Purple Fountain Grass.

May self-seed year after year: Cosmos, Pansy, Zinnia, Larkspur, Nicotiana, Impatiens, Vinca, Portulaca, California Poppy.

Can be direct seeded: Iceland Poppy, California Poppy, Larkspur, Marigold, Gomphrena, Zinnia.

Use as cut flowers: Dianthus, Salvia, Larkspur, Marigold, Phlox, Cosmos, Zinnia, Celosia.

Grown for fragrance: Nicotiana, Phlox, Dianthus, Petunias.

Colorful foliage: Dusty Miller, Purple Fountain Grass, Coleus, Ornamental Kale

Used for edging: Dusty Miller, Petunia, Begonia, Phlox, Portulaca, Coleus, Zinnia (dwarf), Pansy, Marigold (dwarf), Dianthus.

Suitable for containers: Phlox, Impatiens, Portulaca, Pansy, Begonia, Marigold, Coleus.

Attracts birds: Petunias, Salvia, California Poppy, Vinca.

Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies: Phlox, Salvia, Zinnia, Verbena, Lantana.

- By Kathy Riley

• Occupation: Retired June, 2000. I was a Junior High School Administrator
  
• Number of years as a Master Gardener: I am an Intern.
  
• Personal hero: My wife–she is the best person that I know.
  
• Favorite annual: Moss Rose
  
• Favorite perennial: Hosta
  
• Something about me not too many people know: I am a licensed poultry judge.
  
• My most humbling gardening experience: Planting a bunch of bulbs upside down.
  
• Major gardening accomplishment: Becoming a part of Master Gardeners
  
• Best gardening tip: Top dressing hosta beds with "blended compost" (a combination of manure, ground pine needles and mushroom compost). This top dressing will minimize the hiding places for slugs.
  
• If I am not gardening, you will find me: Working with my birds–I raise bant am ducks and chickens for show.
  

- By Ann O'Leary

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/foliage/

Check out the new addition to the Hort Corner, Fantastic Foliage, developed by Greg Stack, Extension Educator. The site provides gardeners with a directory of 23 different plants that can be used in landscapes to provide color with only their foliage.

• Occupation: Retired after 36 years with Northern Illinois Gas
  
• Number of years as a Master Gardener: 3 years
  
• Personal hero: My father. He was a school administrator who was dedicated to young people and their growth and development.
  
• Favorite annual: Petunia, any variety or color
  
• Favorite perennial: Hosta
  
• Something about me not too many people know: I love to hunt and fish. I have a cabin up in Canada where I fish for Muskie, Lake Trout and Smallmouth Bass
  
• My most humbling gardening experience: Realizing that my wife can recognize and name the annuals and perennials quicker than I do
  
• Major gardening accomplishment: I put myself through college helping my family raise strawberries in Northern Michigan. We had 3 – 4 acres under cultivation. It was a family project. I used my share of the profits to pay for my education.
  
• Best gardening tip: Rotate your crops annually within whatever garden space you have.
  
• If I am not gardening, you will find me: As a Kiwanis member, I volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels. I also do other volunteer work, such as help the Salvation Army and work with the Children's Museum.

- By Ann O'Leary

Since interest in ornamental grasses has been increasing during the past couple of years, I was pleased to be able to enroll in COD's latest addition in the Ornamental Horticulture Department. OH 190, Ornamental Grasses, was first offered last fall to two classes. Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper, whom many of you know from her Landscape Plants, Perennials, and Taxonomy courses, presents the course.

Material covered in the course included recognition of grasses used in this area and their characteristics, propagation, planting, maintenance, and use of ornamental grasses in the landscape.

The presentation is informal, consisting of weekly field trips, supplemented by guest lectures. The first class visited a grower, plantings at public buildings, a new residential development, several homeowners, and a prairie project. Although only true grasses were covered this time, reeds, sedges and other grass-like plants will be added in future presentations.

Homework consisted of familiarizing ourselves with each species of grass, and preparing a table comparing the characteristics of each grass covered. A term paper was a short report on a research topic chosen by the student. There were three short plant identification quizzes.

If you're thinking of working with grasses, this would be a good introduction to these plants and their uses in the landscape.

- By Jim Keith

If you are planning to donate garden produce for PAR, call our office for a list of area food pantries that are able to accept these donations. We should have this list by July 27. Also, you can visit The Daily Herald website www.dailyherald.com and click on the Plant A Row icon for lots of information.

A magazine review by Kathy Riley

In the world of garden publications, "Green Prints" or "The Weeder's Digest" holds a special place. This quarterly magazine does not give "How To" garden advice or techniques but rather covers the personal, human side of gardening. Pat Stone, editor and creator, has collected essays on gardening that read very much like the "Chicken Soup" series of books. In fact, he also had a hand in co-authoring "Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul" and was a featured speaker at this year's Chicago Flower & Garden Show. These essays are filled with the whole spectrum of emotions only a diehard gardener can relate to. "Green Prints" is not for everyone. Yet, it is certainly a treat for those gardeners who like to curl up and read something that touches the soul after a long day digging in the dirt. One-year subscription is $19.95.

"The Garden Thymes" is the official newsletter for DuPage area MG's. If you misplace your copy, it can be found at our DuPage County Extension website. From time to time, you may have something you would like to share with fellow MG's or perhaps include an article of your own. We would love to hear from you!! Keep in mind the deadlines below for submissions. As always, your comments and suggestions are most welcome.

The deadlines for all articles to be submitted and for all volunteer hours forms are:

Issue #5 –August 31
Issue #6 –November 2

July 23, 24, 25
Judging for 4H projects

July 24
Display & MG Help Desk at County Bldg.
11 am – 1:30 pm

July 25 – 29
DuPage County Fair
MG Help Desk daily

July 26
Steps to a Healthy Lawn: 6:30 – 8:30 pm (pre-registration required)

July 31
Gardeners Gathering: 1:30 – 3:00 pm

August 1
Registration deadline for Cantigny field trip

August 2
Office Garden Clinic: 1 – 3 pm

August 7
Cantigny/MG field trip to Central Illinois
6:30 am – 7:00 pm

August 8
Registration deadline for Ball Seed field trip

August 16
Office Garden Clinic: 1 – 3 pm

August 23
Ball Seed field trip
9 am

September 26-28
MG State Conference