HortusScope | What's Up in the Central
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HortusScope | What’s Up in the Central
Indiana Gardening Community | Photo ©2012 by R. Weaver
Through Saturday, March 2 Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired "Make Room for
Spring" Houseplant Sale Sale includes hanging baskets, unique containers, scented geraniums,
terrariums, and starter plants. All plants have been propagated and grown in our greenhouse
by students and volunteers. Proceeds directly benefit the Horticulture Program at ISBVI. Friday,
noon to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Indiana School for the Blind & Visually
Impaired, 7725 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis, 317-253-1481.
Saturday, March 2 Herb Society of Central Indiana Spring Workshop Get rid of the winter
blues by coming to our spring workshop. We will have recipes, handouts, and a small project for
you to start with us and take home. Learn how to plant your new herb garden whether in-
ground or in a container. Herbal munchies included. Limited seating, adults only. 10:00 to 11:30
a.m., Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis. Register by calling 317-
327-7183. http://herbsocietyofcentralindiana.org/event/get-rid-of-the-winter-blues/.
Through Sunday, March 3 Orchids at Newfields Escape the gray of winter with the bold color
and unique beauty of orchids. Explore diverse varieties of elegant orchids from around the
world with hundreds of plants blooming inside the toasty Madeline F. Elder Greenhouse, where
experts are standing by to answer questions. New this year, experience the vibrant plant
installations inside the IMA Galleries. Each display is designed to be in conversation with the
artwork, bringing art and nature together in unexpected ways. Take home your own colorful
orchid by stopping by the Pop-Up Shop located in The Bret Waller Gallery. Details at
https://discovernewfields.org/calendar/orchids.
Sunday, March 3 Treasures in Our Local Woods (Noblesville) Learn about early spring
wildflowers to find and enjoy in Indiana. Myrene Brown of Myrene's Garden will present this
program on the wonders of nature. Free. 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Noblesville Library, 1 Library Plaza,
Noblesville. Register here. For questions, contact harmonj@hepl.lib.in.us.
Monday, March 4 Herb Society of Central Indiana Start your Herbal Spring in the know!
Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop, Licorice Plant) is the Herb of the Year for 2019. Learn
about this versatile plant and its uses in the kitchen and medicine cabinet. You’ll learn of its
history including folklore surrounding this stately herb, its growing preferences, and where to
find it. You’ll leave with handouts about this garden beauty, including recipes. Delicious herbal
1refreshments will be provided. Bring a friend and get inspired to try something new in the
garden this spring. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Carmel Clay Township Center, 10701 N. College Avenue,
Indianapolis. http://herbsocietyofcentralindiana.org/
Monday, March 4 Greening Indiana: Theologies and Ethics of Sustainability Keynote address
by Lisa H. Sideris, Professor of Religious Studies at Indiana University with research interests in
environmental issues at the intersection of science and religion. Responses by Denise Abdul-
Rahman of the Indiana NAACP Environmental Climate Justice Program; and Dori Chandler,
environmental planner, climate activist, and educator working to promote energy efficiency,
renewable energy, ecojustice, waste reduction, and reuse. Free and open to the public, no
tickets required. 7:00 p.m., Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler Arts Center, Butler University. For
more information, visit www.butler.edu/cfv.
indianapolishostasociety.org
Sunday, March 17 Indianapolis Hosta Society The Search for Wild Hostas in Japan (Fishers)
Bob Solberg of Green Hill Farms, Chapel Hill, NC, nationally known lecturer, hybridizer, and
expert on growing hostas, is the featured speaker. Travel with Bob on his recent trip to Japan
where he studied hostas in their natural habitat. Free and open to the public. 2:00 p.m.,
Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens, 10595 Eller Road, Fishers.
indianapolishostasociety.org
Wednesday, March 20 When to Break Up with Your Plant (Zionsville) Having trouble with a
plant? Should you give it special care or cut your losses and replace it? Myrene Brown of
Myrene's Garden will help you decide whether you are better off with or without a plant. Free.
7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Zion Nature Center, 690 Beech Street, Zionsville. Registration required at
www.zionnaturecenter.org.
Saturday, March 30 Indiana Phenology’s Spring “Nature’s Notebook” Workshop Join us for a
hands-on workshop where you will learn how to document the cycle of seasonal change in
common native plants as an Indiana Backyard Observer. We will talk about phenology, the
importance of record keeping, and opportunities to get involved with our long-term monitoring
efforts. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Rd, Indianapolis. Email
info@indianaphenology.org to register.
Monday, April 1 Herb Society of Central Indiana Herbal Teas in the Landscape Presentation
by Indy’s own “Mad Botanist,” Bill McKnight. Free. Refreshments provided. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30
p.m., Clay Township Center, 10701 N College Ave, Indianapolis. herbsocietyofcentralindiana.org
Saturday, April 13 Herb Society of Central Indiana Symposium (Noblesville) “Get Your Herb
On” with us as we celebrate the herb of the year, anise hyssop! We have speakers sharing their
experiences on all sorts of topics, like edible landscaping, monarchs and herbs, blending herbal
teas, CBD oil, and more. Bid in the silent auction, enjoy a luncheon catered by the Juniper
Spoon, and support local businesses as you shop for herb plants and other items at our
vendors’ booths. Seating is limited, so register soon. It is always an educational and fun, fun
2event. Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville. Register at
http://herbsocietyofcentralindiana.org/symposium/.
Saturday, April 13 Sustainability Workshop: Organic Gardening (Noblesville) Learn how to
transition to and maintain your organic garden. Topics: why organic, seed selection, soil heath,
cover crops, pest management, sourcing supplies. Includes panel Q & A and work session for
one-on-one questions with experts. Fee $20 (lunch included). 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Hamilton
County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville. Register at
https://www.hamiltonswcd.org/store/p65/sustainabilityworkshop.html.
Saturday, April 13 Hendricks County MG Gardening for All Ages (Danville) Get Your Garden
Going Spring will be here soon, and now’s the time to prepare with free educational sessions
for gardeners of all experience levels, from total newbies to the ultimate green thumbs. Here’s
the lineup: 9:30 Hydroponics with Kyle Billman; 10:10 Choose your Weapon (Garden Tools) with
Colletta Kosiba; 11:00 Easy Composting for Homeowners with Todd Mathieson; 11:40 The Truth
about GMOs with Megan Eller; 12:20 DIY Drip Irrigation with Jason Paff; 1:00 Growing
Tomatoes with Kelly Allen. Also on tap, more than 50 garden-related vendors with plants,
garden décor, bird-watching supplies, and activities for small children, senior citizens, and
everyone in-between. Dizzy Izzy's Food Truck will offer their famous grilled cheese and other
specialties. Free flower and vegetable seeds, and tree seedlings to the first 600 visitors. 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex, 1900 E. Main Street,
Danville, Indiana. www.hendricksgardeners.com
Free Expertise Resources for Hamilton County Gardeners Are you thinking of starting a
vegetable garden? Do you have concerns with your existing garden? The Hamilton County Soil
& Water Conservation District can help with these and other issues. As part of its Urban
Agriculture program, SWCD staff are available for free site visits to any backyard and
community vegetable garden in Hamilton County. Staff can provide guidance with planning,
advice on weed and pest management, soil health information, yield increase through
conservation, tip sheets, and much more. To schedule a site visit, contact Andrew Fritz at
andrew.fritz@hamiltoncounty.in.gov or 317-773-2181. Tip sheets and many other online
resources on gardening topics are available at www.HamiltonSWCD.org/UrbanAgriculture.
Advocacy Opp Hoosier Environmental Council 2019 Bill Watch The 2019 Indiana General
Assembly is underway, and HEC is tracking the progress of bi-partisan bills that will advance
their strategic legislative priorities: 1) protecting Hoosiers from unregulated factory farm
pollution, 2) safeguarding our lakes and rivers, 3) preserving wilderness areas, 4) enacting
redistricting reform, and 5) reducing barriers to solar. Learn more about these 2019 priorities
by visiting www.hecweb.org/billwatch2019/, subscribing to HEC e-news (www.hecweb.org/e-
news), and by following HEC on Facebook and Twitter.
Tropical Milkweed—A No Grow? From the insect-friendly Xerces Society comes this warning:
Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is a non-native milkweed that has exploded in
popularity in response to the demand for milkweed. It is simple to propagate, allowing growers
3to rapidly produce the plant for quick sale. The plant is also attractive, both to humans and
monarchs, providing flowers and lush green foliage throughout the growing season—and that’s
a problem. Read full article
Bird Walks Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab: Meet at the St. Francis statue next to Allison Mansion
on the north end of Marian University campus at 8:00 a.m., every Wednesday during March
and April (excluding the week of March 11-15). The EcoLab is a wonderful place to bird watch,
with over 165 different species sightings being recorded since 2002. Free. No experience or
reservation necessary. Bring binoculars, water to drink, and wear comfortable shoes. Questions
answered at dbenson@marian.edu.
New Podcast for Gardeners The Gardenangelists Are you ready to be converted to living a
gardening life? Join Carol Michel and Dee Nash, both passionate gardeners, authors, and long-
time bloggers, for their weekly chat over the garden fence about flowers, veggies, and all the
best dirt on gardening. Carol and Dee have the audacity to call themselves “gardenangelists,”
evangelists for gardening, and want everyone to dig in the dirt, sow a few seeds, and enjoy the
simple pleasures and even a few pitfalls of a gardening life. Find episodes and subscribe to their
podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/225480.
Plant Shopping! Native Plants Unlimited Our 2019 Native Plant Catalog and Advance Order
Form is now available at: https://www.nativeplantsunlimited.com/plantsale.htm Advance
orders (16 plant minimum) and payments are due by Saturday, March 23. Plant pickup will be
at Geist Nursery in Fishers starting May 3. Pick and choose from the thousands of plants in our
inventory. Details are on our web site and in the downloadable catalog. Address questions to
George Peregrim, 317-607-7343.
Plant Shopping! Indiana Wildlife Federation Spring is just around the corner and it’s time to
start thinking about landscaping and planting. IWF offers a variety of native flowers, shrubs, and
trees to spruce up your yard or create new habitats. We are continuing our partnership with
Cardno Native Plant Nursery to provide a selection of native plant kits, bare root shrubs and
trees, and seed packets. Each plant kit contains 50 native plants that will be delivered to your
door. Every purchase supports IWF and Indiana’s wildlife. For more information visit
https://www.indianawildlife.org/wildlife/native-plants/native-plant-sale/.
Good Read What to Do While Waiting Out Winter A blogger from the Xerces Society for
Invertebrate Conservation shares ways to get through the wacky month of March: study up for
the coming gardening season, appreciate the winter landscape, and tackle pruning chores.
https://xerces.org/2018/03/05/what-to-do-while-waiting-out-winter/
Travel Coastal New England with Garden Guru Mark Zelonis July 17 to Jul 23. Steeped in
history and natural splendor, this beautiful part of America has inspired countless writers,
artists, and gardeners. Touring from the brief coastline of New Hampshire to the dramatic rocky
cliffs of down-east Maine, you will experience some beautiful old homes, sublime art,
wonderful wildlife, delicious seafood, and, of course, magnificent gardens. Details and
4registration at https://www.interludetours.com/package/coastal-new-england-guided-
vacation/#gdl-booknow-1 Garden and Nature Tours with C. Colston Burrell Experience
nature’s beauty and diversity in designed and native landscapes. Burrell has teamed up
with Carlson Wagonlit Travel and The Minnesota State Horticultural Society to sponsor Garden
and Nature Tours with C. Colston Burrell, offering personalized leisure tours to exceptional
gardens and natural areas around the globe. 2019 Tours: Brazil’s Gardens and Birds, July 9-23;
Gardens of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, September 3-9.
https://gardenandnaturetours.com/
Photo Notes In my garden the first hint of spring this year comes from my Arnold Promise
witchhazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’), which casts a pale yellow haze against a
backdrop of evergreens. I planted it near the front path so I could enjoy the tiny ribbon-like
petals and sweet scent up close. This cultivar, a cross between Japanese and Chinese species,
was introduced by Arnold Arboretum in Boston. We have native species here too, H. vernalis
and H. virginiana, both lovely as well.
HortusScope, an e-bulletin for the Central Indiana gardening community, is published the first
of every month as a public service by Wendy Ford. To submit news items, add or update your e-
mail address, or remove your name from the HortusScope e-mail list, please drop me a note at
hortusscope@comcast.net. Your supporting donation cheerfully accepted at 6911 Cabernet
Way, Indianapolis, IN 46278, check made out to Wendy Ford. Thank you Kathleen and Meredith
Hull for your generous support!
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