Dear Friends,

March and April are two of my favorite months of the year. But this year with March

still having some very cold weather, and what seemed to me a lot of rain, I don’t know if

March is really one of my favorite months this year. I say it seemed like a lot of rain

because while we were trying to finish our house there was one delay after another due

to the bad weather. We couldn’t pour the concrete driveway because the ground was

too wet. Then they could not get sod because the ground was too wet to cut the sod

at the sod farm. Now that the sod is in I am hoping for a little (and I stress “a little”)

rain since we do not have an irrigation system. Dragging sprinklers around is one of my

least favorite things to do pertaining to gardening. They say “April showers bring

May flowers” so I am praying for a few showers but not storms!

By the time everyone is reading this letter we will have moved in the new house and

may even be sitting on the back porch overlooking the marsh with a cup of coffee. Of

course my mind will be reeling with ideas of garden projects that need to be done on

the property. As with most of ya’ll I will be thinking of not only the planting, but also

the fertilizing and weeding. Speaking of weeds – why is it that weeds seem to multiply

and double in size overnight? And why are they so hard to pull but the precious

seedlings of our favorite perennials pull up so easily? (If anyone has an explanation for

this please let me know.) Then there is the smell of fresh cut grass. Either you love it

or you hate it. I love it! Ah, Spring!

I do hope everyone had a chance to go to the Festival of Flowers to be inspired by the

landscape exhibits followed by a visit to Mobile Botanical Gardens Plantasia with the

hopes of finding a few new plants to replace the freeze burned ones in your gardens.

And I hope it is obvious that we have begun revamping the gardens around the Jon

Archer Ag Center. Our newest addition is the Herb Garden in the front of the

building which faces Schillinger Rd. I would like to encourage you to take a walk around

the building and check out all the gardens as they each offer something unique. If you

are interested in helping maintain any of the gardens please do not hesitate to contact

me and I will put you in contact with the right person.

In the month of April we have several exciting events planned. The second spring

planting will take place on April 5th. Our learning seminar with Amy Stewart will take

place on Saturday April 12th. Then on Wednesday April 16th we will be going to the

Jim Scott Gardens on Lake Martin. This will be an early morning trip and space is

limited. At the end of the month (April 28-30) the AMGA Conference will be held in

Baldwin County. The fun just never seems to end with Master Gardeners!!!

Blessings to all,

Penny

President’s Message by Penny Cla iborne

Dates to remember:

March 27-30,-Plantasia MBG

April 1,--Board Meeting

April 3,-Member Meeting

April 5,-Rainbarrel

Workshop JAC

April 10,-One Enchanted

Evening MBG

April 12,-9th Annual

Educational Seminar.

April 16,-Jim Scott Gardens

Trip

April 26, -Cathedral Square

Market Opens

April 28-30,-AMGA

Conference, Daphne

In this issue:

Chronicles 2

Lunch and Learn

April Meeting

3

David Holloway

interviews Amy Stewart

4

Echinacea 5-7

Mission Statement

Officers

8

April 2014

I see a few Bradford pear blooms and

some daffodils, so maybe spring is

actually on the way! The long winter

has given us time to dream and plan for

what we hope to soon see blooming.

The DREAM Garden at JAC has

been planted and now needs to be

watered daily. If you have time to help

with this, please let Diane Anthony or

Marsha Stolz know. As of this

writing, most dates are still available.

The workday on March 12 to revamp

the gardens around the JAC was good.

Penny Claiborne and several MGs

cleaned the Native Garden, making

notes about future plants there, and

then they designed a plan for the Front

Garden. Watch for notices about

future workdays for these and other

gardens around the building.

The First Monday Lunch & Learn

programs have us spoiled. We have

learned to expect great programs and,

so far, none has disappointed. And the

crowd keeps growing. For the March

program, Ellen Huckabay’s subject

was Growing Turf. Turf grass is one

of Ellen’s specialties, and her

presentation, followed by the question/

answer session, was timely and

informative.

Our speaker for the March general

meeting, Pat Heroman, of Heroman

Services Plant Co. LLC based in Baton

Rouge, presented his program entitled

Interior Landscaping: Interior Plant

Design and Care. Using beautiful

plants, pottery, and visual aids to

demonstrate ways that his company

uses houseplants as truly beautiful

works of art in the home and/or the

office, Pat emphasized the importance

of unity: the right plant in the right place

in the right pot.

On April 16 at 6:15 a.m., a bus will

leave Dauphin Way Baptist Church for a

tour of world traveler Jim Scott’s

private gardens - ten acres on Lake

Martin near Montgomery. The cost for

the trip is $20 for Master Gardeners.

Contact Brenda Bolton for more

information.

Volunteers are still needed to help with

setup and details for the Educational

Seminar on April 12 at the JAC.

We are asked to bring appetizers, put

out posters around town, lend planters

to be used in the garden, and provide

items for the silent auction. Sybil

Burnett and Sue Stefan are the

contact persons for appetizers, and

Elisa Baldwin or Annette

Daugherty will be accepting items for

the silent auction. Seminar tickets

are on sale for $20. Checks may be

sent to Susan Morrison, treasurer.

Other Dates: Plantasia – March 27-

30; AMGA Conference in Daphne:

April 28-30 (Regular Registration

$100; Postmarked After April 1 -

$145)

www.baldwincountymastergarden

ers.com or

www.amgaconference.org.

Elevated Walkway—Jim Scott Gardens

Probably the garden’s most remarked-upon feature is its trio of elevated walkways that

lead from the house through the tree canopy. Jim originally built them so that his late

wife, Vivian, who was no longer ambulatory, could still tour the grounds. Today, the

walkways provide visitors with a wider perspective on the plantings below.

Chronic les by Nancy Adams Page 2

April 3, Member Meeting

9:30 Social—10:00 Meeting

John Olive will identify our plants

Limit of 2 plants per member.

Coming Events

Lunch and Learn

A “First Mondays” program presented by Mobile County Master Gardeners, a program of

the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Monday, April 7, 2014

Noon to 1 pm

Where: Jon Archer Center, 1070 Schillinger Road N., Mobile, AL 36608

Bring a friend and a lunch. Free. Drinks are provided.

Presenter: Dianne Sellers, Mobile County Master Gardener

Topic: Growing Roses On The Gulf Coast

For more information: 251-574-8445 or www.aces.edu/Mobile/mg

Page 3

David Hol loway Interv iews Amy Stewart —The Drunken Botanis t

AL.com -- My first thought when I received my copy of “The Drunken Botanist” was to flash back to my college years in a way

that may surprise some of you.

Contrary to what you might think it wasn’t the drunken part, it was the botany part. The study of

plants wasn’t my strongest subject; I think I made a D in the course.

So you can understand my skepticism when I received the book in the mail that explained in detail the

relationship between drinking and plant science. But author Amy Stewart crafted a wonderfully

entertaining book that made me want to rethink my own personal bias against plants.

On April 12, Stewart will be coming to Mobile, Ala., as the guest of the Mobile County Master

Gardeners. She will be appearing at the 9th annual Master Gardener Educational Seminar at the Jon

Archer Center on Schillinger Road.

Stewart, a bona fide botanist who is also the author of the book Flower Confidential, will discuss

plants and gardening. But she will also spend a chunk of time talking about how mankind has used

plants through the ages for something very important – making libations.

My first question to her was simple: Why do a book on plants and drinking?

Here answer was equally simple: “You can’t have the drinking part without the plant part,” she said.

She pointed out the obvious to a dope like me, that all alcoholic beverages are made from plants. All of them, not just a few, but all of

them from a sloe gin fizz to a fuzzy navel have roots in the soil.

At this point, I’m hooked.

Her message, she said, is to remind people that without plants we would have no cocktails. “I’ll be talking about the broad spectrum, how

barley ends up in whiskey and some plants get added at the distillery. How hops in beer and juniper in gin change and improve the flavor

for the better,” she said.

As for the home gardener, Stewart said there’s plenty to learn about how to grow your own plants to enhance your cocktail experience.

“Well, I have a cocktail garden with 40 varieties that can be used in drinks,” she said.

A cocktail garden? Who knew? Maybe I have a green thumb after all.

She recommends amateur gardeners grow the things that they like to add to your cocktails. If, for instance, you like to sip on a mojito or

a mint julep in the evening, then a nice array of mint plants would be an excellent idea. “We can be specific enough to tell you which

mints to plant for which drink,” she said.

Herbs and some flowering plants also are wonderful add-ons for making cocktails more flavorful and Stewart said she will offer

suggestions for how to maximize your plant production.

Living here in the humid subtropics, though, we can’t always grow everything we need when we need it. Stewart’s advice is quite logical:

adapt and overcome.

“It’s all about growing what you can and making the best of where you live,” she said.

She pointed out that living in the Northwest as she does, she’s envious of our long and early growing season. “We can’t grow melons,

watermelons and things like that. I have a wonderful watermelon tequila drink that is flavored with basil so you learn to love what you

have,” she said.

Stewart’s presentation will be at 2:30 p.m., but the event starts at 1 p.m. when the county’s master gardeners will host a reception in their

demonstration garden at the center. A host of tasty appetizers and some non-alcoholic infusions will be served.

The seminar is open to the public, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Tickets are $20 and the deadline for reservations is

April 4. Send ticket information and a check to Mobile County Master Gardeners, 12915 Dauphin Island Parkway, Coden, AL 36523.

E-mail the author | dholloway@al.com | Follow on Twitter

Author

Amy Stewart

Echinacea Chosen 2014 Perennial of the Year by the National Garden Bureau

Because of the vast assortment of flower colors and shapes available to

today’s gardener, and because they are such an American staple,

Echinacea was chosen as the 2014 Perennial of the Year by the National

Garden Bureau. The classic flower shape continues to be a favorite in

home and public gardens so it’s time we highlight the history of the

“tried and true” classics as well as some of the newer varieties sure to

please any home gardener.

History

The coneflower is a native to central and eastern North America and is a member of the Asteraceae family. Other flowers in the

Asteraceae family include daisy, sunflower and aster. The name “Asteraceae” finds its origin from the Greek word for star. The

main family feature is its composite flower type: Its capitula (flower head) is surrounded by involucral bracts. Most Echinacea

blooms are oversized bright disks atop rings of downward-curving petals. The name “Echinacea” is also derived from the Greek

word “echino,” which means spiky or prickly, referring to the plant’s floral center. The florets are hermaphroditic, with both male

and female organs on each flower. Pollination occurs most often with the help of butterflies and bees.

Medicinal Uses

Besides its native landscape and prairie appeal, the herbal and medicinal use of Echinacea has been documented through the

years. Herbalists use the roots/rhizomes and herbs of Echinacea to treat or ward off various infections and maladies. It offers a

general boost to the immune system, and has antidepressant properties. Echinacea angustifolia was used by Native Americans to

soothe sore throats, headaches or coughs – symptoms of the common cold. They first saw the benefit of using Echinacea

medicinally by observing elk that sought out the plant and ate it when wounded or sick. In the mid-19th century Echinacea was

used as a pain reliever and increased in use as an herbal medicine through the 1930s in America and Europe. The plant E.

purpurea contains the chemical compounds cichoric acid and caftaric acid. These phenols are common to many other plants.

Other phenols include echinacoside (found in E. angustifolia and E. pallida roots). These phenols can serve as markers for the

quantity of raw Echinacea in the product. Other plant components that contribute to health effects include alkylamides and

polysaccharides.

Breeding Resurgence

Since its popularity as an herbal supplement has grown, many consumers may not be aware that Echinacea can be grown easily

and enjoyed as a garden flower. Today, more and more gardeners are seeking out perennial plants as long-term investments

that offer good value at an effective cost. Perennials are the building blocks of any home garden. Planting foundation beds of

perennials is a practice widely used by landscape designers as a way to provide multi-season color, texture, shape, and to reduce

garden maintenance. Gardeners perceive perennials in general as a good value as their hardiness and forgiving nature equates to

less risk.

To supply this new demand for perennials, Echinacea has been one of the varieties seeing a significant growth in breeding

activity. It remains a “top five” perennial in terms of retail sales. Several advances have produced plants that have set a new

standard in compact-growing, well-branched Echinacea. Breeding trials have resulted in bringing free-flowering plants to market

that overwinter successfully in cooler zones. Poor winter hardiness is a source of frustration with some gardeners. However,

recent breeding has developed seed-grown varieties selected specifically for their bold coloring and trialed for overwintering

success to USDA Zone 4.

Echinacea in the Garden

You’ll find wild growing Echinacea in sunny, dry open woodlands and prairies. The plant prefers loamy, well-drained soil, but it is

little affected by soil pH. Cultivated Echinacea offer reliable performance as a perennial plant under a wide variety of conditions.

Echinacea can be propagated from seed or vegetatively using various techniques, such as division, basal cuttings, or root

cuttings.

Echinacea is attractive to birds, bees and butterflies making it a great choice for a pollinator-friendly garden. It is generally deer

resistant. Because of their root structure, the plants are drought tolerant and can withstand heat and wind. Used in garden

borders or backgrounds, Echinacea adds color and texture for a wildflower or prairie-style garden. For best visual impact, plant in

masses. Deadhead florets to encourage further blooms. Echinacea flowers through the summer (June through August). Its

seedheads can be left to dry on the plant to feed wild birds through the fall and winter. Continued on page 6

Page 5

Echinacea Continued from page 5

Echinacea plants will reseed in the fall, with new flowers growing the following season. Hardiness zones vary by variety, with

a range from USDA Zone 4-9.

Starting from Seed

When growing from seed, Echinacea will flower in 11-15 weeks so if started indoors early enough, it is possible to get flowers

in the first season. With most varieties, sow seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before outdoor planting date. Plant the seeds 1/8"

deep in soilless growing medium. Cover lightly with 1/4" fine soil and keep moist at 65-70 F. Seedlings should emerge in

approximately 10-20 days.

As with most seedlings, you can transplant them to larger containers when seedlings have at least 2 pairs of true leaves.

Before transplanting the young plants to the outside garden, harden off by exposing the plants to outdoors for gradually

increasing time frames.

How To Grow

Echinacea are generally low maintenance. Plant in full sun, or light shade in hotter climates. Dividing every few years will

keep them healthy. No additional fertilizing is necessary as heavy fertilization leads to tall, leggy plants that flop. Also, avoid

over-watering as Echinacea prefer drier conditions once established.

While most home garden Echinacea is ornamental, it can be grown as a fresh or dried cut flower. Allow flowers to mature on

the plant before harvesting. Dry by hanging upside down in a well-ventilated, dry area. Fresh Echinacea has a short vase life

of seven days.

Pests and Diseases

Echinacea may be affected by slugs, Japanese beetles, Bacterial Leaf Spot, Powdery Mildew, or botrytis.

Species

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizes nine distinct species of Echinacea:

Common/Popular Varieties ‘

Cheyenne Spirit’ is a seed grown hybrid Echinacea with excellent overwinter performance on drought tolerant plants. It is

an All-America Selections winner, regarded for its brilliant segregated color range: red, orange, purple, scarlet, cream, yellow

and white. Hardy to USDA Zone 4. It grows 18-30 inches (46-76 cm) tall and 10-20 inches (25-51 cm) wide.

‘Double Scoop™ Orangeberry,’ available as vegetatively propagated plants, grows 24-26 inches (56-66 cm) tall and

spreads 16-22 inches (41-56 cm) wide. It is hardy to USDA Zone 4 with a high count of fully double, pompom flowers in

bright colors.

‘Kim’s Knee-Hi’ grows 18-30 inches (46-76 cm) tall, spreading 24-36 inches (61-91 cm) wide. It is a vegetatively

propagated variety with mauve-pink petals drooping back around a burned-red center.

‘Magnus’, a basally branching seed grown variety, grows to 26-36 inches (66-91 cm) tall and produces large 4.5-inch (11

cm) blooms. Petals are held flatter than other varieties in a pink-rose color with orange-brown center. Tolerates heat,

drought and wind.

‘PowWow™ Wild Berry’ is an All-America Selections winner. This seed-raised Echinacea has intense rose coloring and

produces many flowers in its first season. It is very drought tolerant and doesn’t experience color fade. Remains compact at

16-20 inches (41-51 cm) tall and spreads 12-16 inches (30-41 cm) wide in the garden. Continued on page 7

Echinacea angustifolia – Narrow-leaf Coneflower

Echinacea laevigata – Smooth Coneflower

Echinacea paradoxa – Yellow Coneflower

Echinacea sanguinea – Sanguine Purple Coneflower

Echinacea tennesseensis – Tennessee Coneflower

Echinacea atrorubens – Topeka Purple Coneflower

Echinacea pallida – Pale Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea – Purple Coneflower

Echinacea simulata – Wavyleaf Purple Coneflower

Page 6

Echinacea continued from page 6

‘Prairie Splendor’ is an American Garden Award Prize Winner from 2010, as voted on by the gardening public and it’s no

wonder! ‘Prairie Splendor’ offers non-stop blooms almost a full two weeks earlier than most Echinacea and blooms right through

fall. It is 24 (61 cm) inches tall and available from seed.

‘Primadonna White’ is a white compact plant with nice, bright white flowers, perfect for the evening garden. It also has‘orange-

green cones that stand up erect from the petals. Hardy in USDA Zones 4-9, this variety, available from seed, grows 28- 36 inches

(68-91 cm) tall and can also be used as a cut flower.

‘Sombrero™ Hot Coral’ grows 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) tall, spreading in the garden 24-26 inches (61-66 cm). Available as

vegetatively propagated plants, it blooms June through August and has vibrant color with overlapping petals which leaves no

gaps. It grows on sturdy stems, and is floriferous for many months of enjoyment each season.

‘Tomato Soup’ is a beautiful tomato-red Echinacea with large 5” blooms that are deliciously fragrant. These long-blooming plants

grow up to 32 inches (80 cm) tall and are available as vegetatively propagated plants.

‘White Swan’ is a white-flowering Echinacea growing 18-22 inches (46-55 cm tall). Raised from seed, it has a yellow center over

dark green, coarse and serrated leaves, and is heat and drought tolerant.

For More Information

The National Garden Bureau recognizes Ball Horticultural Company as the author of this fact sheet. Ball, through their breeding

companies PanAmerican Seed, Kieft Seed, Ball Floraplant and Darwin Perennials, offers many new varieties of Echinacea.

This Fact Sheet is provided as a service from the National Garden Bureau. The use of this information is unrestricted. Please credit

the National Garden Bureau as the source.

Cheyene Spirit Pow-Wow Wildberry

Tomato Soup White Swan

Prairie Splendor

Double Scoop Orangeberry

Page 7

Kim’s Knee High

Prima Donna White

Raspberry Truffle

Sombrero

Mobile County Master Gardeners

Mobile County Office

1070 Schillinger Rd. N.

Mobile AL 36608-5298

Phone: 251-574-8445

E-mail: aces.edu/Mobile/mg

Twitter: @MoCoGardeners www.facebook.com/MoCoGardeners

Officers

President Penny Claiborne ‘10

1st Vice President Regina Gunn ‘11

2nd vice President Brenda Bolton ‘12

Recording Secretary Nan Costello ‘10

Corresponding Secretary Beth Walmsley ‘11

Treasurer Susan Morrison ‘07

Board of Directors Term Expires

Glenda Eady ‘09 2014

Greer Wilhelm ‘10 2014

Jackie Jenkins ‘11 2015

Joe Pippin ‘11 2015

Mary Ann Days ‘11 2016

Carol Eskridge ‘12 2016

Past President - Connie Barron ‘08

Appointees

Newsletter Editor Alice Marty ‘07

Volunteer Activity Coordinator Elisa Baldwin ‘06

Volunteer Hours Coordinator Jo Hayes ‘99, Genie Schneider ‘12

2013 Class Representatives Kathy Sanders and Jan Tanner

ACES Advisor Ellen Huckabay

Mission Statement:

The Alabama Master Gardener

Volunteer Program is an educational

outreach program provided and

administered by the Alabama

Cooperative Extension System.

Alice Marty will publish the Dirt on the 25th of each month. Articles for inclusion must be received by the 15th of the

month and may be submitted to Alice Marty

MCdirt@comcast.net or the Extension Office.

Issued by

Ellen Huckabay

Regional Extension Agent

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M

University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity

educator and employer. www.aces.edu