In this Issue:

♦♦♦♦♦ Spring Affair2002 p.1♦♦♦♦♦ From theDirector p.2♦♦♦♦♦ From MaxwellArboretum p.3♦♦♦♦♦ EducationPrograms p.4♦♦♦♦♦ InternshipProgram p.5♦♦♦♦♦ Garden FriendsAnn. Mtg. p.5♦♦♦♦♦ "Meet the Weeds"p.6♦♦♦♦♦ Garden Tidbitsp.6♦♦♦♦♦ Calendar p.7♦♦♦♦♦ Tree Trivia p.7

Printed onrecycled paper

The Garden NewsThe Garden NewsThe Garden NewsThe Garden NewsThe Garden NewsSpring 2002Volume 8, Issue 2 The Garden: special plantings & gardens on City & East campuses including Maxwell Arboretum

The University of Nebraska - Lincoln Botanical Garden and Arboretum

Spring Affair 2002

by Carol Bom,Landscape Services Staff Assistant

The annual Preview Party is set forFriday, April 19 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.Reservations ($25 per plate) are pouring in,so if you haven’t made yours yet, please mailit in as soon as you can – seating is limited.A reservation form is available in thenewsletter or on our web site: http://busfin.unl.edu/unlbga

This year’s event promises to beanother great one. There are a great varietyof programs that go along with the theme.The topics range from using old-time favoriteplants in today’s gardens, the gardenreflected in quilts, gardening with wildflowers, a unique look at butterflies andplants, birds and berries and gathering andharvesting of plants. Our panelists for“Anything and Everything” include FredBaxendale, Harlan Hamernik, and BobGilmour.

If you have not received a copy of theSpring Affair News yet, please call theLandscape Services office at 402-472-2679.If you would like to volunteer at this year’s

Gardening:America’s Pastime

event, you can request a volunteer form fromthe same number. We need over 150volunteers to run this event. We begin onThursday with the delivery and set up ofplants, and continue through Friday settingup for the Preview Party and the plant saleon Saturday. We have a great core ofvolunteers with new people signing up eachyear.

If you have access to the World WideWeb, you may also learn a great deal aboutSpring Affair there. Our web address haschanged (see first paragraph) and click onthe Events link. There you will find links thatinclude Spring Affair News, volunteerinformation, plant lists, vendor and advertiserinformation, and much more. We try toinclude new items each year, so be sure tobookmark it and go back periodically to checkit out. We plan to include the volunteersurvey after the event.

Spring Affair is co-sponsored by UNLLandscape Services, the Nebraska StatewideArboretum, and State Fair Park. Mark April19 and 20 on your calendars and enjoy thetime spent with fellow gardeners, greatspeakers and educational topics, and otherplant enthusiasts. See you there!

Spring Affair Plant Sale: Saturday April 209 a.m. to 4 p.m. State Fair Park

Free Admission

UNLBGA is anaffiliate site of the

From the Director

Welcome to: ♦ Dale Ekart, Recycling & Solid Waste Resource Mgr.

Welcome Back to: ♦ Twyla Hansen, Education Project Asst., formerlyLandscape Supervisor 1980-82

Good-bye & Good Luck to: ♦ Kevin Leonard, Maintenance Mechanic-Irrigation

by Robert Hensarling, Director, Landscape Services, UNLBGA

by Kay Kottas, Education Mgr.Twyla Hansen, horticulturist, poet, and all-around greatperson has joined me in the Education area as a part-timetemporary project assistant. Twyla was grounds manager

plantings, we will keep in mind the prevailing sentimenton campus with security, accessibility and aestheticsproviding guidance and direction for our departmentaloperations.

On another note, we will begin a new era with the waywe approach campus recycling efforts. Beginning March1, 2002, we have combined our solid waste and recyclingoperations together in order to provide a more efficient

delivery of servicethroughout campus.In doing so, we havehired Dale Ekart asour Recycling andSolid Waste ResourceManager. Daleformerly served asUNL’s RecyclingContractor and hasbeen on campus inthat capacity since1993. Dale brings awonderful sense of

organization and proactive environmental enthusiasm toour department and will serve campus well. If you seeDale Ekart around please say hello and welcome him“officially” to Landscape Services!

Dale Ekart

Howdy!

I would like to thinkthat we are finallythrough withwinter; however, Irealize I’m not inTexas anymore. Ifyou look carefully atsome of the treesbeginning to budthroughout ourlandscape you willsee evidence our mild winter and pending spring. Ourcrews have had an extended period of time to dopruning of a variety of trees and shrubs on both campuslocations. While most of this work was conducted asgeneral-purpose maintenance, some of the effort wasin response to security issues related to overgrownplant material.

Mass plantings of large trees have provided a grand,green composition for campus for many years. Someareas of campus with plantings of mature trees andshrubs are being assessed for their continued viability.As we move forward with the basic idea of sustainable

Robert Hensarling

Spring 2002 page 2

Welcome Back Twyla Hansen

Personnel Updatesand curator of the Alice AbelArboretum at NebraskaWesleyan University for 17years. Before that, she was alandscape supervisor at UNLLandscape Services. Sheearned her BS in Horticulturefrom UNL in 1979. Twyla is anAssociate Fellow of the Centerfor Great Plains Studies and hasmany other credits to her name,

including past Board member of the Nebraska StatewideArboretum. In addition, Twyla has won numerous writingawards, honors and fellowships, and has published threebooks of poetry: Sanctuary Near Salt Creek, In ourVery Bones and How to Live in the Heartland. I amvery pleased to have the opportunity to work with Twyla.She has been a tremendous help since her arrival inJanuary. Please welcome Twyla when you see her.

Spring 2002 page 3

Rhodotypos scandens(Thunb.) Mak. BlackJetbead RosaceaeMonotypic genus(only one species in thegenus);Deciduous shrubOriginJapan, Central AsiaIntroduced 1866

Zone 4-8Branches opposite, greenish brown to brown, scaly atbaseLeaves opposite, simple, prominently veined, sharplybi-serrate, 4-8cm., bright to dark green turning yellowish in fallFlowers perfect, singly at twig end; white, four petaled,4-5cm., May-JuneBuds greenish with brown tips, ovoid, glabrousFruit drupe; glossy, black, hard, ellipsoidal, Oct. intofollowing season (very persistant), .5cm, in clusters at twig ends,usually 4 per cluster HIGHLY TOXIC, may be fatal if eaten,contain amygdalinHeight 1-2m in cultivation, spread greater than height,much larger in the wildHabit mounded, loosely branched, ascending/arching branchesGrowth Rate medium to fastPests few, basically trouble freeCulture easy to grow; very tolerant of crowding,pollution, varying pH and soils, full sun to heavy shade

The arboretum’s Jetbeads are located in a bed just to thesouthwest of the bridge. They receive no special carebeyond occasional pruning. Last year some of thebranches on two of the plants withered and died. No causewas found. Given the poisonous properties of the fruits,please be sure to supervise young children in the vicinity.

Notes From Maxwell Arboretumby Emily Levine, Grounds Supervisor, Maxwell Arboretum

Dirca palustris L.Leatherwood, WicopyThymelaeaceaeDeciduous shrubOrigineastern United StatesIntroduced 1750Zone 4-9Branches l i g h tbrown to olive, small

white lenticels, aromatic when bruised, very flexible and tough(hence the name)Leaves alternate, simple; elliptic to obovate, obtuse,cuneate, entire; glabrous above, pubescent underside; 5-10cm.;light green, yellow in fallFlowers perfect, small, light yellow; usually 3-4 perinflorenscence; March-AprilBuds hidden by petiole bases; conical with 4 hairyscales; no terminal budsFruit drupe; light to yellow green; 6mm or larger;ovoid; June-JulyHeight 1-2m.Habit rounded, dense, thickly branchedGrowth Rate slowPests few; basically trouble freeCulture shade, moist areas; widely adaptable to soils,light, and climateNotes The strong, flexible braches were used bynative peoples for baskets, bowstrings, rope, fishing line, etc.Dirca, mythical spring near Thebes; palustris, refers to itswetland habitat.

Our Leatherwood is located along the east edge of theVine Arbor at about the midway point next to a JapaneseTree Lilac and some azaleas. Although neither its blossomsnor fruit are showy, this little shrub has a beautiful formand the structure of its branching is so delicate and intricatethat it makes a unique contribution to the landscape.

Although most visitors to Maxwell Arboretum are rightly impressed by the trees, aware of the Vine Arbor, or familiar withthe Viburnum Collection, many gems—especially shrubs—are hidden within its boundaries. In this issue I’d like tointroduce visitors to two interesting shrubs not often seen in local landscapes: Rhodotypos scandens (Black Jetbead) andDirca palustris (Leatherwood).

* * * * * *

Early to mid-spring, before Flemming Slope and the Yeutter Gardens are in full bloom, is a wonderful time to visit MaxwellArboretum. Be sure to check out the Rhododendron Collection and the Lilac Collection. Tours of both collections arescheduled. Early shade–loving perennials can be found hidden in the viburnums and other spots. Finally, in addition tothose scattered throughout the Arboretum, recent bulb plantings can also be found along the Loop Road south of theGazebo and along the front edge of the lilacs. Come enjoy the first signs of spring!

Spring 2002 page 4

UNLBGA Education Programsby Kay Kottas, Education Mgr.

Spring Programs

Many more programs are coming your way. Youwill definitely want to check out our calendar list (seep.7). April is Spring Affair month (see p.1 article).

On April 9, UNLBGA, in conjunction with theNebraska Statewide Arboretum and the UNL CooperativeExtension 4-H, will provide a workshop on two nationalprograms called Project Learning Tree (PLT) and ProjectWater Education for Teachers (WET). This one-dayworkshop is free to volunteers of UNLBGA, who wouldlike to help with tours for student groups. NSA will offerthis program for curators of affiliate sites, who wish toprovide educational opportunities in their BotanicalGardens and Arboreta.

On Arbor Day, April 26, we will honor the 35th

anniversary of Maxwell arboretum with a tree planting(see article p.2).

In May, we will begin a series of lunch-hour brownbag tours, a speaker on Orchids, a field trip to see orchidsin their native habitat, and a Saturday morning weed ID.These programs are free and open to the public. Pleasecall our office to register (472-2679), so that we can planfor an appropriate number of people.

In June, Bonsai workshop participants will be ableto make their own bonsai if they register at least twoweeks in advance. There will be a $20.00 fee for materialsincluding a traditional Japanese ceramic bonsai pot andrecumbent juniper. Those who wish to attend theworkshop to observe only may do so at no charge.

Winter Programs

Educational Programs at UNLBGA haveblossomed! So far this year, (January-March) we havealready had more programs than the last 2 yearscombined. The response has been wonderful.

Twenty-two people registered for our first program,"Japanese Garden Design; Inspiration for Your Garden,"with Eileen Bergt, Campus Landscape Architect, but thirty-two came! We were very pleased.

In February, we held a workshop called "Botanyfor Beginners" given by Kay Kottas. Twenty-fiveparticipants attended on a Saturday morning, and theprogram was repeated two weeks later for the FremontGarden club.

We also held a program on "Garden RecordKeeping" in February given by Jane and Bernie Diesenof Plattsmouth, NE, owners of LandMark Gardens. Wewere all encouraged by Jane’s enthusiasm for keepingphotos and a journal of changes in her garden (and IPROMISE to do a better job this year!).

Our best attended program came on an icy, snow-covered Saturday morning in Febr. when Linda Vavrus,owner of Gardeners-At-Large gave a presentation ofperennial division with raving reviews. By the time this newsletter reaches you, we will havealso held a program in March entitled “Pruning Practicewith Jeff: Your Spring Pruning Primer, given by JeffCulbertson.

Linda Vavrus

"Rejuvenating Your Garden with Perennial Division"

Spring 2002 page 5

UNLBGA is offering an internship program forthis summer that assists students preparing for careers ina variety of areas in plant science. These may includehorticulture, botany, landscapedesign, landscape maintenance,vocational agriculture, forestry,natural history, and agriculture.The internship will span 12 weeksbeginning in May 2002 and endingin August, 2002. We offerpractical work experiencesupplemented by training, fieldtrips, and educational programs.

The intern will workapproximately 40 hours per week.Attendance at some evening andweekend events may besuggested. The intern will berequired to keep a daily journal and to complete a projectof special interest relating to UNLBGA. Students areexposed to many career opportunities in public horticultureprograms. At UNLBGA, the student will work under thesupervision of a variety of Landscape Servicesprofessional staff. The intern will be assigned to staffwithin designated areas of expertise; for approximately

Mary Ellen Connelly

Landscape Services-UNLBGA Internship Program

Gardeners’ Gala andFestival of Color Unite

This year, Gardeners’ Gala and Festival of Color (theUniversity of NE Cooperative Extension event formerlyheld at Mead every September) will be combined intoone event to be held on East Campus. A new title will bechosen for this event. The tentative date is Sept. 14.

UNL Garden FriendsAnnual Meeting

On January 20, MaryEllen Connelly, ownerof Perennial Passionsin Sioux Falls, SDgave a wonderfulpresentation on herfavorite perennials.

Volunteers forUNLBGA receivedrecognition and warmapplause for theirmany years ofservice. We alsoviewed the Garden

Friends’ new video titled “Landscape for Learning”, whichprovides an informative look at the UNL Landscape asan important part of UNL’s learning environment.

two-week intervals, thereby gaining an understanding ofthe University of Nebraska Botanical Gardens andArboretum, its mission, and day-to-day operation. The

student may choose to spend only 1week in certain areas in order tospend more time on a project in aparticular area of interest.

This unique experience willprovide an understanding of theentire range of services completedby Landscape Services includingplanning, preparation, andprogramming within a botanicalgarden. Students will observe andparticipate in all areas of design,preparation, ordering, propagation,planting, maintenance, recordkeeping, and education.

The intern will work in at least 5 of the followingareas and may emphasize one or two particular area(s)depending on their personal interests: LandscapeMaintenance – City Campus, East Campus and ArboretumMaintenance, Irrigation, Nursery, Education, andLandscape Design. The student will also complete aspecial project while at Landscape Services.

We have received more than 40 positive responses to ourrequest for volunteers. Several of our volunteers will betaking the PLT and WET training (as described on p.4) tohelp learn about tools and techniques in teachingyoungsters about nature. We have contacted one volunteerto help develop a website for the combined Festival ofColor and Gardeners Gala event.

Volunteer Update

Spring 2002 Page 6

Garden Tidbits: Composters Beware

There has been a lot of news about CCA treated lumberlately. The EPA is currently evaluating its potential risksto children. This wood commonly has a greenish hew.That is the copper in the Chromated copper arsenate(CCA). These chemicals are absorbed by the skin andcan leach into the soil and be absorbed by plants. So, aword of caution, do not use CCA treated lumber to buildyour compost bin, childrens play sets, or any otherstructure that come into contact with garden vegetables,food, humans, or animals. For more information, see “WhatYou Need to Know about Wood Pressure Treated withChromated Copper Aresnate (CCA)” at www.epa.gov/pesticides/citizens/cca_qa.htm).

The December issue of Hort Ideas excerpted an articlefrom the American Nursery and Landscape Associationabout a study done by Dr. Lori Turner at the University ofArkansas. Dr. Turner’s study suggests that higher bonedensity is found in people who weight lift or garden. Thisbone density was not found in people who jog, walk, swimor do aerobics. The exposure to the sun, also helps thebody produce vitamin D, which in turn helps the bodyabsorb calcium. So…lift those shovels and keep on dig’n!

Garden Tidbits: Gardening Fights Osteoporosis

Spring has finally arrived! What an exciting time ofthe year it is as we experience changes all around us. Flow-ers are blooming, leaves are beginning to appear, and thegrass is starting to grow. Some of these processes we canstand back and enjoy, but alas there are others we simplycan’t allow. High in the trees we detect swellings and colorchanges, but can’t quite make out the details of the tiny flow-ers that must quickly release their pollen before the leavesget in the way. We watch with excitement as the borderforsythia and Cornelian-cherry dogwoods splash their sunnyyellows across campus, and often smell before we see, thefragrant white forsythia. At our feet are the much antici-pated spring bulbs that seem to guarantee the season.

Below this level though, we have to put our foot down.At this lowest level grow the plants we simply must control:the grasses and weeds. Our dreamy contemplation of spring

by Laurence E. Ballard, Nursery Plant Supervisor

must be shattered by the reality of the mower, like an alarmclock without a snooze button (although there are some whomight prefer to think of the mowers and flying grass more asthe noise makers and confetti bringing in the new year). How-ever you look at it though, you would have to agree that thegrass has a much better fate than the weeds, which bringsme to the point of this rambling.

For all of you who are now plotting your strategiesand arming yourselves for this year’s war on weeds, I wouldsimply like to suggest that you pause for a moment and takea good look at your foe. Take the time to admire their forti-tude for having lasted all winter, enduring the bitter windsand occasional insults from passing dogs. Look at the beauti-ful blue flowers of the field speedwell (Veronica agrestis) orthe bright purple henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) flowers, andconsider making a pressed specimen for a greeting card. Tastethe leaves of field penny cress (Thlapsi arvense), Shepherd’spurse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) and common chickweed(Stellaria media), and gather a bunch to make a fresh springsalad (after washing of course).

As for the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), theking of all edible weeds, don’t even waste your pesticidesnow. Instead, harvest the new leaves for a high vitamin treat,then later collect the flowers and try your hand at wine mak-ing this summer. We have so much to learn from these usefulresilient little plants. So rather than racing out with the herbi-cides as soon as the snow melts, take a few warm springdays to lie down on your stomach (if you can) and get toknow these amazing plants that help to keep us fit, give us abit of free food (and medicine), hold on to our topsoil, and in

"Meet the Weeds"

Spring 2002 Page 7

UNLBGA CalendarPrograms are free; call 472-2679 to register

May 1, Lilac Collection tour, Emily Levine, East CampusLandscape Supervisor, Maxwell Arboretum gazebo EastCampus, 12:20-12:50 pm.May 8, Lilac Collection tour, Emily Levine, East CampusLandscape Supervisor, Maxwell Arboretum gazebo EastCampus, 12:20-12:50 pm.May 11, “Weed Identification,” Anne Streich, ExtensionHorticulturist, Maxwell Arboretum East Campus, 10-11:30am.May 13-24, 2001 Garden Photo Winners Display, RotundaGallery City Campus Union.May 16, “Orchids Unlimited” Tim Janssen & Dr. DavidTaylor, Lincoln Orchid Society, 327 Keim Hall EastCampus, 7-8:30 pm.May 18, Native Orchids field trip, Tim Janssen, LincolnOrchid Society, to carpool meet N. of East Campus Union, 10 am. Fee to enter parks.June 5, Rhododendron tour, UNLBGA staff, MaxwellArboretum gazebo East Campus, 12:20-12:50 pm.June 8, “Tree & Shrub Identification,” Justin Evertson,Asst. Dir. Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, MaxwellArboretum gazebo East Campus, 10-11:30 a.m.June 20, “Garden Photography,” George Schade, naturephoto-grapher, Maxwell Arboretum gazebo East Campus,7-8:30 pm.

Arrive early, park your blanket on the lawn, and enjoy adifferent tour on campus each week of Jazz in June!

June 4, “Famous & Historic Trees,” Bud Dasenbrock,Friend of UNLBGA, meet E. of Sheldon Gallery.

June 11, “Cather Gardens,” Kay Kottas, UNLGBAEducation Mgr., meet E. of Sheldon Gallery.

June 18, “Sheldon Sculpture Garden,” Karen Janovy,Curator Education Sheldon Gallery, meet E. of SheldonGallery.

June 25, “Love Gardens,” Heather Erhart, UNL Land-scape Supervisor, meet S. of Love Library.

Arbor Day 2002

by Twyla Hansen, Education Project Asst.

Did you know… —The first Arbor Day holiday in Nebraska was in 1872,and is now celebrated internationally? —Nebraska’s nickname was once the “Tree-PlantersState”? —Strategically planted trees near your home may reduceheating and cooling costs? —Trees provide aesthetic enjoyment of your surroundingsand habitat for wildlife? —April is also National Poetry Month. Trivia Question:Who wrote this short poem titled “Trees”?

Food for the tableWood for the stoveShade for the bodyBeauty for the soul

For the answer go to http://busfin.unl.edu/unlbga

Please visit our website weekly for new tree trivia.

Tree Trivia

The UNL Botanical Garden & Arboretum willcelebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree in honor of the35th anniversary of Maxwell Arboretum, Friday, April 26,on East Campus.

Everyone is welcome to bring their brown bag lunchto the Maxwell gazebo from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. At12:30, representatives of the Friends of MaxwellArboretum and Landscape Services will give a shortpresentation followed by a tree planting. The event isfree and open to the public; for more information, pleasecall 472-2679.

This year marks the 130th anniversary of ArborDay. J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska City, founder ofArbor Day, once said, “Most holidays celebrate the past,but Arbor Day celebrates the future.” The tree you planttoday will continue to grow for years and provide itsbenefits of carbon dioxide absorption, oxygen production,wind and dust reduction, shade and beauty for futuregenerations.

Jazz In JuneGarden Tours

Tuesdays 6-6:30 p.m.

University of Nebraska-LincolnBotanical Garden & Arboretum1340 N. 17th StreetP.O. Box 880609Lincoln NE 68588-0609

Non ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDLincoln, Nebraska

Permit No. 46

2002 Garden Friends Board

Officers:

President: Janet Cutshall

Vice president: Emilie Ellingson

Treasurer: Arlene Hanna

Secretary: Kim Hachiya

Membership Chair: Irvin Omtvedt

Board Members:

Mark Canney Suzy Taylor

Gerald Dimon Ed Vidlak

James Estes Bonnie Williams

Susan Evnen

Linda Hillegass

Michael Jess

Diane Oldfather

Bryan Poppe

2002 Friends of Maxwell Board

Officers:

President: Ted Hartung

Treasurer: Bud Dasenbrock

Secretary: Francis Haskins

Board Members:

Margaret Allington Peter Jensen

Agnes Arthaud James Kendrick

Cyril Bish Ed Lyman

Blaine Blad William Lutes

Ron Case Martin Massengale

August Dreier Dave McGill

G. Steven Ferris Irv Omtvedt

John Furrer Helen Peterson

T.O. Hass Jane Wendorff

Howard & Margaret Ottoson

The Newsletter is published by LandscapeServices. Photographs are copyrighted andrequire permission for reprint. Articles maybe reprinted with credit to the authors andthe UNL Botanical Garden and Arboretum.

Landscape Services & Garden Staff

Robert Hensarling, DirectorJay Schluckebier, Assistant Director

Administration & ManagementKirby Baird, Landscape & Botanical

Services - City CampusEileen Bergt, Landscape Architect

Carol Bom, Staff AssistantJeff Culbertson, Landscape & Botanical

Services - East CampusKevin Herr, Architectural ServicesDon Hinds, Operations EquipmentKay Kottas, Education ProgramsJim Sommers, Irrigation Systems

Sandy Wacker, Production and Planting

NewsletterKay Kottas, Editor

Twyla Hansen, Co-EditorE-mail: kkottas2@unl.edu

Web Site: http://busfin.unl.edu/unlbga/

Helping the Garden Grow