Lilac Newsletter · /NTERNA TlONAL LILAC SOCIETY is a non-profit corporation-

LilacNewsletterVol. x, No. 10, October, 1984

INTERNATIONAL LILAC SOCIETY

/NTERNA TlONAL LILAC SOCIETY is a non-profit corporation-<; comprised of individuals who share a particular interest, appre-

ciation and fondness for lilacs. Through exchange of knowledge,experience and facts gained by members it is helping to promote,educate and broaden public understanding and awareness.

Articles printed in this publication are the views and opinions ofthe authortsl and do not necessarily represent those of the editoror the International Lilac Society.

This publication, LlLAC NEV'/SLETTER(formerly THE P/PELlNE) is issuedmonthly. Back copies are available bywriting to the International lilac Society,c.oMr. Charles Holetich, Royal BotanicalGardens, Box 399, Hamilton, Ontario,Canada. L8N 3H8. Please send 50 centsfor each copy requested.

President: Dr. Owen M. Rogers,University of New Hampshire, Dept. of Plant Science,Nesmith Hall, Durham, NH 03824

Secretary: Walter W. Oakes"Box 315, Rumford, Maine, 04276

Treasurer: Mrs. Marie Chaykowski4041 Winchell Road, Mantua, Ohio 44255

Editor: Ms. Mary C. Smith,Rte. 2, Bellevue, Iowa 52031

INTERNA TlONAL LILAC SOCIETY,William A. Utley, Ex. Vice-Pres.,Grape Hill Farm, Devereaux Rd., Clyde. NY 14433

MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICA TlON

Single annual .Family .Sustaining '.' .Institutional/Commercial .Life , .

$ 10.00 (as of January, 1984)12.5020.0025.00

150:00

*Mail membership dues to I. L.S. Secretary

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THE STAMPE LILAC GARDEN

Davenport, Iowa

When the ILS Convention was held in Des Moinesa few years ago we showed slides of our first lilacplantings made in the fall of '78. Some of theviewers were impressed by the large percentage ofthe tiny plants blooming.

We now have 250 lilacs with about 135 varieties.Accenting the lilacs are over 100 peonies and 25,000spring-flowering bulbs, extending the bloom seasonfrom mid-April to mid-June. The garden is a projectof the Davenport Horticultural Society.

This year we have added a new feature to thegarden -- a beautiful, romantic gazebo. We thinkthe gazebo and lilacs will go together like thehearts and flowers of Va.lentines Day. Our Societyfinanced the project, but we were able to do so onlybecause the local carpenters union built it as acommunity project. A fine workman, recently retiredfrom the park system, donated his talents to dothe brick and mortar work. Not the first cent hasbeen spent on labor -- either for the gazebo orthe garden.

The gazebo, serving as a focal point, addsanother dimension to the garden. The community isproud of it and already many wedding ceremonies havebeen held in it.

When our Society started the garden, (instigatedby my wife, Ruth Ellen), I found it necessary tobecome an "overnight expert" on lilacs. ILS memberswere helpful in selecting' varieties for our earlyplantings. I remember especially a half-day spentwith Walter Eickhorst shortly after he retired fromthe Morton Arboretum, and a helping hand from MarySmith and Bill Heard. I am learning, but I think

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I got quite a late start when I go to conventionsand meet people who have made life-long studies ofour favorite flower.

My major complaint in these early stages isdirected toward the nurseries -- the mis-labellingof lilacs. I was appalled to find so many in ourcollection with incorrect name tags. I doubt thatI will live long enough to get them all corrected.

My experience thus far has led me to a fewobservations about lilacs. Two faults -- mildewsusceptibility and excessive suckering -- drive meto the brink of discarding some varieties from thecollection. For example, 'Monge' -- otherwise agood shrub and acceptable performer, sticks outlike a sore thumb with mildew after August 1. S.oblata dilatata has suffered severe frost damagethree out of four years and it suckers so badly asto be a real nuisance to control.

I am glad to see Charles Holetich's lilacevaluation sheet, and hope that experienced growersfill them out carefully and honestly. It will bea fine addition to the Society's contributions.

I don't know how general our exceptionallyfine bloom season was in 1984, but it was no lessthan fantastic here. The public enjoyed the gardenimmensely, even though we were unable to give themthe correct names of many cultivars.

I still have a long .••\fayto go before I canmake general recommendations as to good lilacvarieties, but so far 'Maiden's Blush' and 'CapitaineBaltet' top my personal list for yearly consistencyof a blanket covering of beautiful blooms.

Wilson Stampe

Mr. Stampe has shared many of his lilac plantswith the Dubuque Arboretum where they have beenrecently transplanted to permanent locations alongthe north drive. Arboretum members appreciate thisgenerosity.

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STAMPE LILAC GARDEN

(Duck Creek Park, 3000 East Locust, Davenport, Iowa)

First plantings -- fall of 1978. Proposed byMrs. Wilson Stampe to the Davenport HorticulturalSociety as a community project, as there is no majorlilac collection within 1;75 miles of the Quad-Cities.Park officials of the City cooperated in the projectto the extent of providing some heavy equipment needed.The Hort. Society finances, maintains and providesmanagement needed. Some 20,000 spring-flowering-bulbs are planted, which require periodic replanting,and over 100 peonies. There are approx. 250 li1acs--approx. 145 varieties.

The collection is public and open to visitorsthroughout the year. The peak of bloom for majorityof lilacs is from May 5th to May 25th.

For further information, phone or write to Mr.Wilson W. Stampe, 2227 Lorton Ave., Davenport, Iowa52803 USA tel. (319) 355-7297. -

A small collection of crabapple trees enhance thegarden, as well as a grove of beeches and somemagnolias. The bloom season of the garden runs fromaround April 5 to well past mid-June, with the bulbsand peonies. We hold. a lilac festival usually aroundMay 10, and sell lilacs we have propagated to helpfinance the garden. Although a young garden, it isputting on a better show each year. 1984 was a fabulousyear for t.he 1i1ac_s. _

'lbe garden is a popular spot in the spring. This year wecarp1eted a beautiful gazebo and weddings are held there at the-rate fo 3-4 per week. We were able to build -itwithout anylabor costs-thanks to the local carpenter's Union IreIlbers. Itis 21' in diarreterand makes a stunning focal point for thegarden of lilacs.

The following plant list for the StarnpeLilac Gardenrepresents our major p1antings (carpiled1981). Hcwever, it isnot accurate in many respects due to mislabelling of lilacsreeeived fran various nurseries.

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1- Wilson W. Stanpe

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LILAC LIST, STAMPE LILAC GARDEN

I Aline Moqueris3 Alphonse LavalleeI A.M. Brand2 Ami Schott4 Anabel3 Andenken an Ludwig SpaethI Anna NickelsI Bright Centennial3 Capitaine Baltet1 Capitaine PerraultI CavourI Charles SargentI Charles XI CharmI CondorcetI CongoI De MiribelI De SaussureI Diderot3 Diplomat3 Edith CavellI Emile Lemoine1 Etoile de Mai

(Star of May)I Etna4 FirmamentI Frank Klager1 Frank Paterson1 General SheridanI General Sherman2 Georges Bellair1 Glory2 Henri MartinI Henri Robert

I Hugo KosterI Jacques CallotI Jan Van Tol2 Katherine Havemeyer2 Krasavitsa Moskvy4 Lucie Baltet2 Macrostachya2 Marechel FochI Marechel LannesI Marceau2 Marie FinonI Marie Legraye3 Maurice BarresI Michel Buchner3 Miss Ellen Willmott4 MongeI Mme. Antoine BuchnerI Mme. Casiwir PerierI Mme. Charles SouchetI Mme. Florent StepmanI Mme. F. MorelI Mme. Lemoine2 MontaigneI Mrs. Edward Harding2 Mrs. W.E.MarshallI My Favorite1 Mood IndigoI NadezhdaI Olivier de Serres1 Paul HariotI Paul ThirionI President CarnotI President FallieresI President Grevy

1 Anna Amhoff (x josiflexa)2 Assessippi (x hyacinthiflora)2 Buffon (x hyacinthiflora)1 Catinat (x hyacinthiflora)1 Daphne (microphylla superba)1 Desdemona (x prestoniae)1 Doctor Chadwick (x hyacinthiflora)15 dwarf Korean (meyeri)1 Esther Staley (x hyacinthiflora)1 Gertrude Leslie ex hyacinthiflora)1 Isabella (x prestoniae)1 James Macfarlane (x josiflexa)1 Jesse Hepler ex josiflexa)1 josikaea2 Japanese tree lilac (reticulata/amurensis japonica)1 Maiden's Blush (x hyacinthiflora)3 Minuet (x prestoniae)2 Mirabeau (x hyacinthiflora)10 Miss Kim (patula)1 Nocturne (x prestoniae).2 oblata dilatata1 Pocahontas (x hyacinthi£lora)1 President Hayes (x chinensis)1 Redwine (x josiflexa)3 Rothomagensis (x chinensis)

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3113121121

President LincolnPresident RooseveltPrimrosePriscillaProdigeReamurRose Pink-CaseRuhm von HorstensteinSensationSarah Sands

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2111111131

Silver KingSnow ShowerVestaleVictor LemoineViolettaVirginiteViviand MorelVolcanWaldeck RousseauWilliam Robinson

Species and other Hybrids

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l Royal Purple (x hyacinthiflora)1 Royalty (x josiflexa)1 Sister Justena (x hyacinthiflora)1 Sunset (x hyacinthiflora)1 The Bride (x hyacinthiflora)1 villosa

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A GARDEN SANCTUARY 'IN'SOUTH PARTS,· MAINE

Behind the house at 101 Main Street in South Parisis the garden of ILS membef Bernard McLaughlin.Although I have never seen this garden I am sure itwould be a special place to visit. According toreports in his hometown newspaper McLaughlin hasturned a hayfield into a treasurehold for the pure joyof it. He has never considered that gardening waswork; he simply enjoys it and does not let chores likeweeding get ahead of him. .

McLaughlin's formula for garaening is simple:"good soil, good plants, and good care". Good care, hesays, is proper cultivation, fertilizer and moisture.Compost of grass clippings, leaves and kitchen garbageis the most important ingredient used to keep the soilin good condition. The co~post is fortified withfertilizer if he uses lots;of leaves and grass clippings.

He began his landscap~ng by allowing oaks to seedand also planted young nursery stock. Now his treesinclude beeches, firs and white oaks among which areplanted wildflower, 50 varieties of ferns, floweringshrubs and perennials. The total effect is natural, agarden sanctuary. visitors cone fran allover the counb:yto seehis gardenwhere there is blocnnfrom the tine of hepaticasinApril and on into Novenber. Of course,me of McLaughlin'sfavoritesis the lilac of which he has over 100 kinds. It mustbe a delightfulplace in the rronthof May. Editor

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CDLORINGNEWHAMPSHIRELILAC

It looks like the pecple of Ne\'J Hampshirewill be Learndnqalot about lilacs. According +o the Unicn Leacer of Manchester,N.H., the newGovernor's Carunissian on Lilacs plans to establisha contest to judge the best hare gJ::OWnlilac. To help ccn-testants they will publish a bcoklet to detail the best wayto grow a lilac.

A $1000 donation fran the Anheuser-Busch brewexy is thestart of a fund whidl the ccmnission hopes will enable themto plant the state's flCMer along state highways and publicproperty. Last year the federal park departrrent; plantedmore than 1300 lilac bushes at reststops along the state'shighways.

"If we plant enough, maybe lilac tine in NewHanpshirewill care to rival cherry b.losscm tine in Washington, D.C. ortulip tine in Michigan," said Mrs , Ral};hDavis, a rrenber ofthe governor's ccmni.ssian and president of the NewHarrpshireFederation of Garden Clubs.

Our Society's ex-president, Dr. <MenM. Rogers is alsoa rrenber of the Lilac Commission.

Editor

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! ANNIIEUSEIt·8USCIi Merrimack plant manager MetHenner, center left, gives Nancy Sununu a $1,000 donation for thc(iovcrnor's Cunnuisslon on Lilacs. '1'0 Renner's IcU is J\lrs. Halph.Havis and to Mrs. Sununu's right Is William Nehring, both com-mission members. (Photo by Ed Uoberls)

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A NOTE FROM FREEDOM, CALIFORNIA

The hybrids with Dr. Chadwick have done verywell this spring. Too well in fact since quiteobviously all will be the tall normal type judgingfrom the growth which they have made. The one whichwas quite a bit taller than the rest is now about 5foot high and the others are in the three footrange. So since this is only their first springpush (presume they will make another growth by midsummertime) am afraid they will be the tall type.As soon as the qrowth har-do na IIp a hit w i I 1 trysome grafting since it does not look as if theseplants will form flower buds for a year or so. Hopethat I am wronq in this.

It is too bad there was not more of hybridizinginterest in the newsletter, but I guess it is toomuch to expect since most people are only interestedin growing them.

It looks like I may finally have been successfulin crossing the non-sprouting type of hybrid withthe one which always sprouts so much. At least afew large seed capsules have formed and will have towait and see if the seeds in them are viable. Lastyear I crossed the sprouting type of hybrid with anon -sprouting warm weather tolerant type of seedlingand many capsules formed but the seeds were defectiveand would not germinate. Usually the non sproutingtype of warm weather tolerant seedlings do not setseed but was lucky and found one which did thisspring.

Walter E. Lammerts.