Just in case you're wondering what it will be like...

Articles of note in the Sterling Morton Library : May's offerings

These are some recent articles that can be found within the journal collection of the Sterling Morton Library. Please visit the Library to discover the incredible botanical and horticultural resources that await you! If you are unable to visit the Library and interested in reviewing one of these articles, I would be delighted to help you at rhassert@mortonarb.org.

Baggett, P. Rudbeckias : a golden touch for gardens. The American Gardener, v. 86, no. 3, p. 28-33.

Balducci, S. Field notes : Metasequoia glyptostroboides. American Nurseryman, v. 205, #10, p. 66.
Each issue of American Nurseryman ends with Field Notes detailing a plant that should be used more often. As I was skimming through this new issue, I was pleased to see the description of the dawn redwood (a.k.a. Metasequoia glyptostroboides). Be sure to visit the unique espaliered dawn redwood in the May T. Watts Reading Garden adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library!

Goyder, D. Description of Asclepias barjoniifolia. Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, v. 24, pt. 2, p. 93-100.
Description is accompanied by a drawing of this plant by noted artist Christabel King.

Gripenberg, S., J-P Salminen & T. Roslin. A tree in the eyes of a moth – temporal variation in oak leaf quality and leaf-miner performance. Oikos, v. 116, no. 4, p. 592-600.
This research paper opens with the provocative question: “For an herbivorous insect, how predictable is the quality of host trees in space and in time?”

Houle, G. Determinants of fine-scale plant species richness in deciduous forest of north-eastern North America. Journal of Vegetation Science, v. 18, p. 345-354.

Primack, R., A. J. Miller-Rushing, D. Primack & Sharda Mukunda. Using photographs to show the effects of climate change on flowering times. Arnoldia, v. 65, no. 1, p. 2-9.

Ranney, T., N. Lynch, P. Fantz & P. Cappiello. Clarifying taxonomy and nomenclature of Fothergilla (Hamamelidaceae) cultivars and hybrids. HortScience, v. 42, no. 3, p. 470-473.

Zemanek, A., A. Ubrizsy Savoia & B. Zemanek. The beginnings of ecological thought in the Renaissance: an account based on the Libri picturati A. 18-30 collection of water-colours. Archives of Natural History, v. 34, pt. 1, p. 87-108.

Charles Darwin and the Beagle

Leafing Through the Pages, the Sterling Morton Library’s book discussion group, met yesterday to discuss the life and adventures of Charles Darwin as told in his book, Voyage of the Beagle. As we sat in the Library’s Reading Room discussing this five year journey, appropriately a portrait from our Art Collection of Darwin by John Collier (printed in 1883) watched over us. The gathering and discussion brought a diversity of insight, opinions and viewpoints – just what makes an interesting morning for the group!

In preparation for this gathering, I sifted through the Library’s collections related to the works by and about Charles Darwin. The Sterling Morton Library has a number of titles about Darwin including his published collected correspondence and papers. In addition, we have a number of books that he authored along with a significant collection of research about his studies and writings.

Want to read an account of exploration, drama and discovery? Pick up a copy of the Voyage of the Beagle (first published in 1839 as Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H. M. S. Beagle) and embark on an adventure!

Xanadu, Kubla Khan and The Morton Arboretum

The current exhibit in the Sterling Morton Library, numerous Arboretum press releases and a general hubbub have all heralded the creation of an on-site woven wood sculpture by artist Patrick Dougherty. Completed and officially christened Xanadu at Friday’s Arbor Day celebration, the sculpture is a joy! I’ve treasured being able to observe the formation of this project on a daily basis, seeing/listening to others' reactions to the project and actually being able to help create it. I had the good fortune to spend a morning (a-fabulous-blue-sky-glorious-sunshine-type-of-morning) volunteering at the sculpture and helped “neatin’ it up!” I can’t take credit for the genesis and genius of this project, but I was delighted to have contributed to it. Yesterday as I was heading out for a walk, I dropped by Xanadu. I was instantly engaged by visitors’ action and reaction to it. In typical Louvre-fashion, some people stood back from the sculpture studying it from afar, others fluttered a little closer and still others dove right in! Before or after visiting Xanadu, be sure to stop by the Library to view the current exhibit. You’ll discover photographs of Dougherty’s other installations plus an exploration of four different landscape designers’ impact on the land. Make plans to visit Xanadu at The Morton Arboretum. You might even want to bring a copy of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s namesake poem with you!

Xanadu
In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree :
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.
So twice five miles of fertile ground
With walls and towers were girdled round :
And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills,
Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree ;
And here were forests ancient as the hills,
Enfolding sunny spots of greenery ...