Happy New Year everyone!

Looking out on the snowfall reminds me just how beautiful winter gardens can be. Of course our evergreens are in their glory right now, but look at all the other plants too. Horizontal branches, closely spaced branches and stems, berries and seed heads all collect the snow and form beautiful shapes and textures. Don't forget about structures - fences, arbors, benches, pots and birdbaths all become spotlighted when frosted and topped with snow. Even the squirrel baffle takes on a new life! Look and evaluate your yard - get inspired to add something to enhance its beauty in the winter months.

Chicago Flower Show: All MG's should have received information about the U of I Extension Garden volunteer opportunities at the Chicago Flower Show. If interested, be sure to call the Matteson Extension Center right a way, since times will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. This very popular project attracts MG's from all across NE Illinois.

Garden Classes: We will be offering several gardening classes this winter and spring. Here are a few that are confirmed. These will be advertised to the public, (you're getting advance notice) so be sure to register early if you are interested in attending. Bring a friend! All qualify as MG enrichment training. All classes will be held at the Extension office, in the conference room, using the University of Illinois statewide Telenet conference system. Pre-registration is required. Please make check payable to University of Illinois.

Seed Starting
Telenet class
Tuesday Feb 3
1pm-2:30 pm
Instructor: Martha Smith, Extension Educator
Fee: $5.00

Landscaping with Native Trees and Shrubs
Telenet class
Thursday Feb 19
7pm -8:30pm
Instructor: Barb Bates, Extension Educator
Fee: $5.00

Pruning Trees and Shrubs in the Landscape
Telenet class
Tuesday March 2
1pm-2:30pm
Instructor: Scott Bretthauer, Extension Educator
Fee: $5.00

Jeffersonia diphylla (Twinleaf)

Jeffersonia was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson; diphylla means two leaves (refers to the two-parted leaf which appears to be two leaves).

Juglans nigra (Black walnut)

Juglans is from'jovis' (of Jupiter) and 'glans' (an acorn) (literally, 'the fruit of the god Jupi-ter'); nigra means black.

Juncus effusus (Soft Rush)

Juncus is the classical Latin name for rush; effusus means 'loosely spreading', referring to the loose habit of the plant.

Juniperis procumbens (Japgarden Juniper)

Juniperis is the classical Latin name for juniper; procumbens means prostrate or low growing, referring to the plant's habit.

(By Sharon Yiesla - Taken from "Clippings," Lake County Master Gardener newsletter)

I just received this announcement and thought you would like to know about it.

Learn grafting at home. 10-week web-based course starts March 15, 2004.

ITHACA, N.Y. - If you've ever wanted to learn how to graft plants, here's your chance. The award-winning, hand-on distance education course The How, When, and Why of Grafting for Gardeners will teach you chip budding, T-budding, and top-wedge grafting. By focusing on the principles as well as the practices, you can apply what you learn to other species and methods, allowing you to propagate plants that don't root easily, graft several fruit varieties onto a single tree, or create unusual growth forms, such as tree peonies and arborisculpture.

The noncredit course, developed by Dr. Ken Mudge, professor in Cornell's Department of Horticulture, includes web-based multimedia lectures, video demonstrations, hands-on grafting with live plants, online quizzes and interactive discussions.

The course runs from March 15 to May 23, 2004. (Registration deadline is March 8.) Cost is $300, which includes shipment of live hibiscus plants used in laboratory exercises, plus grafting knife and supplies.

Found: Someone has left the following items in the closet in the Master Gardener office area:

• Gray cardigan, snap front, Fashion Bug, size 26/28
• Flowered umbrella
• Black umbrella

If any of these items belong to you, please pick them up as soon as possible.

If you did not attend Fall Wrapup, please stop by the office to check your blue folder. We have an appreciation gift for you.

Newly Graduated Master Gardeners: If you have not done so yet, please stop by the office to pick up your permanent name badge.

Do you have a plant to share with your fellow Master Gardeners? How about a piece of equipment you would like to sell or trade (or donate)? Is there a plant you are looking for that one of us might already have? We'd like to put you in touch with each other. Contact Pat Kosmach at Pkosmach@aol.com or 630-279-1655. She will take the information and put all of it together for the next newsletter.

We have occasionally included book reviews in our newsletter. I have just finished an outstanding book of essays, "Small Wonders" by Barbara Kingsolver. As gardeners, we are in close touch with the earth and, I think, perhaps more aware of how valuable and fragile is the net of life on our planet. Kingsolver's pieces, each a beautifully-written gem, take her readers from seeking endangered red macaws in the wild, to an encounter with the "otherness" of a bobcat, to celebrating the incredible variety of species supported by one small Arizona river.

Passionate about our need to be good stewards, she nonetheless understands how complicated the issues are, reaching her conclusions with a clear-eyed integrity.

"People need wild places. Whether or not we think we do, we do. We need to be able to taste grace and know once again that we desire it. We need to experience a landscape that is timeless, whose agenda moves at the pace of speciation and glaciers. To be surrounded by a singing, mating, howling commotion of other species, all of which love their lives as much as we do ours, and none of which could possibly care less about our economic successor our running day calendar. Wildness puts us in our place. It reminds us that our plans are small and somewhat absurd. It reminds us why, in those cases in which our plans might influence many future generations, we ought to choose carefully. Looking out on a clean plank of planet earth, we can get shaken right down to the bone by the bronze-eyed possibility of lives that are not our own."

From the essay "Knowing our Place" page 40

- by Sandy Lentz

I am growing (or rather the plants are doing their own growing and spreading) three un-common self-seeding perennials that have significant garden merit in the right site; one best in a sunny rock garden or trough, one compatible to a sunny or part sun border, and one that works in semi to full shade. Besides these three, you may already be growing similar behaving plants like Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Siberian Bugloss (Brun-nera macrophylla), and Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). These three are doing a good job of moving around my garden but sometimes may need some help to control their encroachment on less vigorous plants. The plants I am going to describe are not thuggish but are amenable to finding their own compatible spots as they self-seed around the garden.

Tunic Flower (Petrorhagia saxifraae formerly Tunica saxifraga): This is a charming, non-aggressive reseeder that blooms in sunny, very well drained sites from mid to late June into November. The specific epitaph 'saxifraga' means rock breaker and generally applies to plants suited to mountain or rocky sites. In my garden, it reseeds in various spots but establishes itself best in cracks in my cement patio and in driveway cracks. If I move this plant to a sunny border site, it will grow too luxuriantly and not flower as long nor have the contented look it has in more well drained sites. Tunic Flower has delicate leaves and wiry stems and numerous tiny pink flowers. Its charm lies in its delicate looking nature, perhaps something like a short Babies Breath. Its height in poorer soils is about ten inches and is somewhat shorter and lax in better soils. Containers or troughs can be an ideal way to create a good planting site if you do not have a broken up driveway like I do!

I have been growing Tunic Flower for quite a few years from my original purchase. I have seen it listed as cold hardy in zone 3. The plant is not well known, but I have it described, in a 1916 book Garden Flowers by McCurdy as "not striking but very dainty." I think that is a good description of Tunic Flower.

Besides patio cracks and driveway gravel, some good container combinations would be growing it with Blue Fescue, Mosquito Grass (Bouteloua gracilis), Artemesias, Gaura, Moss Phlox, some Sedums and the next flower.

Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis): Wild Petunia is a native prairie plant that is not one of those deep rooted, aggressive defenders of its site, but one of those more delicate prairie annuals and perennials that root in the scant space left in the top few inches of prairie soil that is available to them between other plants. Prairie Violet (Viola petatifida) is another prairie plant with similar characteristics. Wild Petunia blooms in my garden from late June into September with soft purple-mauve blooms reminiscent of petunias in bloom. The flower color is somewhat recessive and I am not sure I am cataloging the correct bloom date until I walk out of the house some sunny morning and notice a striking display of 20 to 40 blooms presented up to two feet high. The plants have somewhat lax stems and will grow short (six inches) if in a forward sunny edge or tall (24 inches) and lean against taller neighbors while reaching for sun and pollination. Wild Petunia finds its niche and is non-aggressive when grown with other plants.

While the flowering display is long and can be striking, the flowers are somewhat like daylilies and open early on sunny mornings and are mostly mush by evening; they are floriferous enough, though, that the display is repeated for days. My wife sometimes misses some great Wild Petunia displays due to her work hours. In contrast to the flowers, few plants are as inconspicuous as Wild Petunia when not in bloom. It can be planted liberally (or allowed to self-seed as I do) among other plants and the blooming combinations enjoyed during the summer. I do nothing special for this plant, but I would be unhappy if this fugacious perennial ever disappeared in my garden.

I use my Wild Petunia in a sunny, mostly prairie plant garden that is inconvenient to water. Its growing requirements are listed as mesic-dry to sharply drained soils in full sun. The plant has moved itself to a part sun spot that receives more supplemental watering and it appears to also do well there. I do not grow mine in specific combinations, but allow it to do its own thing. Viki Ferreniea in Wildflowers In Your Garden suggests growing it with Prairie Smoke, California Poppies, and against the foliage of Candytuft. This plant is available from The Natural Garden and is uncommon elsewhere.

Yellow Corydalis or Yellow Fumitory (Corydalis lutea): Yellow Corydalis is perhaps the most familiar of my three self-seeding perennials. This perennial has lacy, soft bluish-green foliage that is somewhat fernlike and golden yellow flowers reminiscent of Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra). Some other Corydalis species with blue to purple blooms are creating excitement in specialty nurseries but are not in my easy self-seeding category.

Yellow Corydalis moves around my garden and self-seeds in moist, woodsy areas in semishade. It is never aggressive but the seedlings are easy to identify and could be easily relocated or removed if desired. The plant has significant charm and blooms from late May into October in some years in my garden. It is 12 to 15 inches tall and makes a clump form. It is one of the plants selected in Taylor's 50 Best Perennials for Shade. Its leaves and flowers blend well with Lungworts (Pulmonaria), Hostas, Epimediums, Hellebores and other bold shade to semi-shade perennials. I would not use it next to ferns or small leafed perennials, but look for contrast opportunities. It would look compatible in wildflower gardens. It is commonly available in better perennial nurseries.

Note: Don Obuch also wrote the article on Shasta Daisy "Becky" in our last issue. Sorry, Don, for omitting your name.

- By Don Obuch

I look forward to sharing information about unusual herbs with my fellow MG's. Comments, suggestions, and ideas...e-mail me at: hockey-mom@iname.com.

Horehound. The very sound of the name may remind us of baying packs of dogs, or of evil smelling Victorian cough remedies! Odd name or no, this ancient herb has long been cultivated to treat respiratory ailments, especially coughs. The Egyptians dedicated it to Horus, their god of the sun. Said to be one of the bitter herbs of Passover, its botanic name marrubium is derived from the Hebrew for "bitter juice;" the common name comes from the Old English name for a downy plant, "har hune."

And downy it is. A member of the mint family, horehound has that family's distinctive square stem, which is downright wooly. The wrinkled, heart shaped leaves, which have a faint menthol fragrance, are also fuzzy, appearing opposite one another on what can be lanky two foot stems. The tiny white flowers appear in dense clusters in the leaf axils, attracting bees. The flowers are followed by green seedpods, which are quite large in the "Green Pompom" cultivar. There is also a silver variety, Marrubium incanum, growing only eighteen inches tall and having velvety silver stems and foliage.

Horehound is a perennial, hardy here, adapted to our alkaline soils, and liking full sun best, although it will tolerate a little shade. It thrives in poor, dry soil, an interesting backdrop for nasturtiums, which also bloom best in poor soil. Horehound adds texture to the herb patch, and can be pruned to form a many-branched, upright shape.

- By Sandy Lentz

As a small child I was lucky enough to live a few doors away from a retired home-economics teacher. I thought Mrs. Jevey was about the most extraordinary person on earth. At Christmas time she would make Santa Claus cookies and not your run-of-the-mill Santa Claus cookies; oh no! Mrs. Jevey's Santa Claus Cookies had white frosting topped with coconut to represent Santa's beard of snowy white. She etched his fur trim in coconut too. His eyes were a beautiful blue frosting and his cheeks were dusted with rosy colored sugar - his hat, a thick coating of deep red sugar. These Santa faces were then wrapped in cellophane and tied with festive Christmas ribbon. Now that I think of it; Mrs. Jevey was Martha Stewart before there was a Martha Stewart. In summer, she would invite me over for the annual homemade ice cream-making event. We would sit in her basement with a large bucket that had a handle and another smaller bucket inside. We placed rock salt in the large bucket and milk, sugar, and all the other magical ingredients into the smaller bucket. My arms would get so tired from cranking the bucket; it seemed to take all day to turn that watery mixture into ice cream. All aches and pains were quickly forgotten however, with that first lick of heavenly home-made ice cream!

One of my fondest memories was when Mrs. Jevey invited me over to "put plants in a goldfish bowl," as she explained it. I had no idea what to expect, but I just knew it would be a fascinating experience and I wasn't disappointed. When I arrived at her house she already had the kitchen table lined with newspaper. Little miniature plants sat in tiny containers; a mound of rich earth piled in the center of the table. Next to the soil were small piles of gravel and stones of different sizes, shapes and colors; and pieces of driftwood too! But what had my little heart really pitter-pattering was the assortment of ceramic wood-land creatures that sat waiting just for me. Mrs. Jevey said that I could choose two of the creatures for my very own. Such a difficult choice – I wanted them all! But, I finally selected a "resting" deer with a baby fawn near her feet that reminded me of my favorite movie Bambi and I also chose a mischievous looking little squirrel. I spent all day creating my garden under glass, which appeared to my little eyes like the perfect replica of a forest glen. It was one of my favorite childhood treasures and is a memory that has lasted all through my life. Perhaps that is why I am still so fascinated by terrariums, also known as miniature conservatories or glass houses. Glass houses come in many styles and sizes – from contemporary to antique, from wood to metal, from small table top models to those large enough to have their own free-standing base. I've even seen them made with stained glass panels. My heart's desire is to get the large, free-standing "Wardian" type. But alas, my pocket book doesn't match the hefty price tag of a "Wardian." Nonetheless, I'm keeping my eyes open as I just know some day I'll come across one that has been marked for clearance – at least I hope. In any case, the smaller glass houses are lovely too and fairly inexpensive (I've seen them at the Maxx for as little as $10) so there's no need to wait for a sale to start your own terrarium.

There are only a few things you'll need to make a miniature glass conservatory; a glass container, good potting soil, pebbles for drainage, fine grade charcoal, and some rooted plant cuttings. However, with the use of other supplies, such as gravel, driftwood, moss, ceramic creatures, or miniature replicas of garden tools, you can create the most charming "garden under glass." Choose a theme - woodland setting, formal garden, oriental garden – even a beach scene would be enchanting!

To construct your miniature conservatory, you'll need to prepare it for planting. Spread a thin layer of small pebbles over the base of the conservatory (for good drainage). Next, cover the pebbles with a fine layer of charcoal (available at garden centers and pet supply stores). Finally, cover the pebbles and charcoal with a three to six inch layer of good potting soil (you can also use a soil-less mix containing peat moss, perlite and sand, if you prefer).

Now you're ready to add your plants. Choose plants that have fairly low and bushy habits. If you choose taller plants, you will need to pinch them regularly to keep them in bounds. Some good plant choices for a glass conservatory include African Violets, Asparagus Fern, Baby Tears (Helxine soleirolii), Begonia, Cactus, Creeping Fig (Ficus pumilar), Croton, Dracena, Ferns, Gloxinia, Hens & Chicks (Echeveria), Ivies, Kalanchoe, Moss, Orchids (small varieties), Pepperomia, Philodendron, Piggy-back Plant (Tomiea), Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes), Sansevieria, Sedum, Shamrock Plant (Oxalis), Spider Plant, Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose), Succulents, and Venus Fly Traps. Just be sure to combine plants with similar growing conditions. You wouldn't want to put ferns (which prefer moister environments) in the same terrarium with Cacti (which prefer drier conditions).

Once you have all your plants in place you can add gravel, pebbles, stones or moss on top of the soil around your plants. If you've chosen to do so, now is also the time to do any embellishing with ceramic creatures, miniature tools, shells, and driftwood.

Water your plants with a gentle flow of water (this is where a mister comes in handy). The most important thing to remember is not to over-water your terrarium. Glass houses are closed or sealed environments and as such, retain a lot of moisture. Always water lightly. You may find that you really only need to water these closed environments every three to five months. You can lightly mist leaves in between waterings, if foliage seems dry. Additionally, fertilization should only be done once or twice a year with a weak solution; and then only if your plants begin to yellow or show scrawny growth. Finally, place your terrarium in medium light. Never place a terrarium in direct sun as the environment inside a terrarium can become very hot and may result in burned plants.

- by Eileen Kostock

Tuesday, February 3
Seed Starting (Telenet class)

Thursday, February 19
Landscaping with Native Trees and Shrubs
(Telenet class)

Tuesday, March 2
Pruning Trees and Shrubs in the Landscape
(Telenet Class)