FLOWER TALK
August 2008 - Issue #8
In This Issue:
- FORUM arrives 1 September
- Introducing Noted Botanist to Forum
- Flowers and other Things to Leave out of Your Arrangements
- An Easy Grandparent's Day Arrangement to Make
- Tell Us What You Think
FORUM arrives 1 September
As the anticipation builds, at last our Forum will become a reality on 1 September. We are looking forward to seeing many of our "Flower Talk" subscribers at the Forum. As an added bonus, anyone becoming a registered member of the "Flower Forum" during the month of September, will receive a free article on "9 Steps to Creating a Great Flower Arrangement".
Introducing Noted Botanist to Forum
Dr. William J. Hess will be joining our forum on September 15th, with his own area called "Ask Ferdinand".
Following is his biography which I feel you will find quite impressive. I am very excited that he will be offering his experience and knowledge to our forum for all of you to take part in and enjoy.
Education:
Orange County Community College, Middletown, NY , 1956. AA-Biology
Harpur College, Endicott, NY (now SUNY Binghamton, NY), 1959. BA-Biology
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2002. MS-Botany (Vascular Plant Taxonomy)
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 2007. Ph.D.-Botany (Vascular Plant Taxonomy)
Employment:
Laboratory Assistant-Harpur College, 1957
Biology Instructor-Saint Mary's Junior College, 1962-1964. (now U. of Maryland, St Mary's City
Special Instructor-University of Oklahoma, 1964
Assistant Professor-Western New Mexico University, Silver City, NM 1967-1970
Associate Professor-Newark State College, Union, NJ 1970-1973
Associate Taxonomist-The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL 1973-1976
Curator of the Herbarium/Taxonomist-The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL 1976-2002
Adjunct Professor-Illinois State University, Normal, IL 1976
Publications:
Dr. Hess has written 30-40 scientific and popular publications during his 45 years as a plant taxonomist. He is an authority on spiraeas (Spiraea-Rosaceae), dogwoods (Cornus-Cornaceae), yuccas (Yucca-Agavaceae), Arizona rosewood (Vauquelinia-Rosaceae), eriogonums (Eriogonum-Polygonaceae), southern bear grass, (Nolina-Agavaceae), red oaks (Quercus-Fagaceae), and has published on a few other plants. While at The Morton Arboretum, he wrote various popular articles for arboretum publications, taught many arboretum classes, some that were college levels courses, gave professional and popular talks including a keynote talk at the University of Chicago on collecting plants for medicinal purposes.
His knowledge is quite general, mostly on the identification of plants but also on their cultivation and habitats. Mostly, he is familiar with native North American plants, but usually can provide some information on cultivated plants. The last five years of his career at The Morton Arboretum, he collected plants throughout the continental U.S. for the National Cancer Institute and their anti-AID's/cancer drug program. In all, he provided them with approximately 2.5 tons of dry plant material. He retired from The Morton Arboretum in 2002 and now lives in Cumberland County, TN
Flowers and Other Things to Leave out of Your Arrangement
There is nothing like having a beautiful floral arrangement gracing your coffee table or brightening your dining room. We all love to look at and smell them and they help lighten our moods. How many have gone out and picked wildflowers to make their own arrangement? The truth is that most of us have at one time or
another. There is nothing wrong with this, but there are a couple things to keep in mind if we want to do so.
Endangered Flowers
If you happen to live in an area that is profuse with many different varieties of wild flowers then chances are good that one or more are actually endangered. The law protects these flowers from those that would pick them. They are being protected so that they may have a chance to properly repopulate. If you are unsure whether or not a particular type you are looking at is endangered just ask your local wildlife resource office. They should be more than willing and able to help you find the information you need.
Poisonous Flowers
There are many very beautiful plants and flowers in our country. However, there are several varieties that can be quite dangerous if handled improperly. There is nothing like seeing a beautiful cluster of flowers just off the road. You get out, reach over the hillside, straining not to fall over the
side, and then get home just to
find out the flowers you picked
are part of the Foxglove plant
which can be very deadly if mishandled or ingested. It is best
practice to leave alone any flower or plant that you cannot easily identify. If you enjoy creating your own arrangements, then a field guide to wildflowers would be a very wise thing to buy.
Indigenous Creepy Crawlies
When you do find the right flowers and plants for your floral arrangement, make sure you look at them closely before you pick them. There is nothing like grabbing several stems just to yank your hand back in pain when a bee is upset during his daily chores. It is equally upsetting to get them home, get them in a vase, and then come back to find a trail of industrious little ants making their way to and fro. It is best to leave these little creatures in their natural settings and go find another set of flowers to choose from.
An Easy Grandparent's Day Arrangement to Make
To get the instructions for this arrangement here.
Tell Us What you Think
Recently Priscilla Beauchamp wrote:
Thank you, so simple yet dashing' I am enjoying every bit of .. and to think I already have the various containers in the house.. Just needed to have someone like you to inspire me' and set me on my way .." Get out and have a go," type thing..Thank you, Judy.. Priscilla
Priscilla,
Thank you. I am so glad you are enjoying my easy to use instructions. I try to emphasize that flower arranging is indeed fun and inexpensive. And you are proving it. Warm regards, Judy
We'd love to hear what you think of this issue!
Your feedback matters to us!
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