Category: Uncategorized

Editing Events

  1. Setting “Filled” or “Cancelled” signs on existing Events
    Log in
    Click on “EventsDev-Fut” at top left or on “EventsDev-Future” in WebDev Links in right sidebar.
    Scroll to event you wish to change.
    Click “Edit” button at end of title line. This opens the edit window for the selected event.
    Scroll down to the “Status” buttons. Probably the “Active” button shows selected (black dot next to it). Click on “Filled” or “Cancelled.” The black dot will then appear next to your selection.
    Scroll to the bottom of the form and click the “Save” button.
    Click on “EventsDev-Fut” at top left and navigate to the event you changed to confirm that the “Filled” or “Cancelled” sign is posted and the registration buttons have disappeared.
    Editing information about an event.
    Log in
    Click on “EventsDev-Fut” at top left or on “EventsDev-Future” in WebDev Links in right sidebar.
    Scroll to event you wish to change.
    Click “Edit” button at end of title line. This opens the edit window for the selected event.
    Change the information you want to update, e.g., times, description, other information, etc.
    Scroll to the bottom of the form and click the “Save” button.
    Click on “EventsDev-Fut” at top left and navigate to the event you changed to confirm that the changes were made.
    12/21/15
  2.  

 

Plant Sale Page Updates

  1. Log in to website
  2. Plant Sale Page
    1. URL: https://www.arboretumfriends.org//plantsale
    2. Page logic is to display articles (blog entries) with the tag “PS-18” (no quotes) in reverse order entered, i.e., latest on top.
    3. You can, however, make an article “sticky” which means it will stay at the top. We have done that In the past with an article largely based on your entry in the Spring Arboretum Leaves. I have done that already for you, but you can modify it by following the Edit Article instructions below.
  3. Enter New Articles
    1. After you log in, you will get a new menu on top that includes “Add Article.” Click on that to open the editor.
    2. Give your blog entry a nice title.
    3. Enter and format the body of the article in the Body section.
    4. Be sure to add the tag “PS-18” (no quotes) or the article will not show up on the plant sale page.
    5. Click the Save button at the bottom of the editor screen.
    6. The new blog entry should now be visible on the Plant Sale Page.
  4. Edit an Existing Article
    1. Click on the title of the article you wish to modify.
    2. On the next screen, click on Edit. That will open the article in the editor.
    3. Make the desired changes in the article.
    4. Click the Save button at the bottom of the editor screen.
    5. The modified article should now be visible on the Plant Sale Page.
  5. Insert a thumb image in an article
    1. Add text to new article.
    2. Put cursor at beginning of paragraph where you want to insert image.
    3. Click image icon in top row of WYSIWYG editor.
    4. Navigate: Browse Server | Upload | Choose File and click on image file you want to upload from your computer, then the Open button.
    5. Check the Create thumbnails – Large box, then the Upload button. This uploads the image from your computer to the server and at the same time creates a 180×180 pixel thumbnail image. The thumbnail uses the same file name prefixed with “Large_”.
    6. Click on the thumbnail name and then the Insert file button at the top.
    7. This returns you to the image properties popup. Click on the Alignment – Right button and the “Captioned Image” box, then the OK button.
    8. Your thumbnail should appear right aligned in the editor.
    9. Edit the caption to your desired text.
    10. Save the article.
  6. To link thumb image to its full-sized sibling:
    1. Navigate to article
    2. Click on Edit button at top. This opens the WYSIWYG editor screen.
    3. Make sure Text format is set to “Full HTML”
    4. Click on image, then click on Image editing icon in top row of WYSIWYG editor.
    5. Select all of the path in the URL box. Copy it (CMD-C).
    6. Close the Image Properties popup using the Cancel button.
    7. Click on Link tab.
    8. Paste the URL into the URL box. Delete the “large_” that prefixes your image file name.
    9. Set the Target to “New Window (_blank)”.
    10. Click OK.
    11. Save article.
    12. Test the link by clicking on the image. It should open a new tab on your browser showing the full-sized image.

12/14/18

 

Slider Items – Publish & Unpublish

Publish & Unpublish Slider Items

This describes how to add and remove the slider items that appear on the Home page of the website.

Publish a Slider Item

  1. Log in to the website.
  2. Add a new event if necessary.
  3. Navigate to the event in EventsDev-Future view and note the event number (in parenthesis at end of title).
  4. Create a 400px x 400px image for the slider and note its location on your computer.
  5. Click the “Add Slider” button in the right sidebar.
  6. Add a title — this becomes the image caption in the slider.
  7. Click the “Add Image” button and navigate to the location of the 400×400 image on your computer. Select it and upload it.
  8. Add the URL of the event you wish the image to be linked to. This will be of the form: https://www.arboretumfriends.org//Events#NNNNN where NNNNN is the event number you found in the earlier step. Don’t omit the pound sign — the link won’t work without it.
  9. Set the Publish / Unpublished dates and times
    1. Leave Publish date / time blank if you are going to publish it immediately
  10. Set Publish Yes to publish it immediately.
  11. Press “Save”. The Slider is now active.

Unpublish a Slider Item

  1. Log in to website.
  2. Click on “Content” in black menu bar at top of page.
  3. Set Type to “nivo_slider” and Published to “Yes” then click Apply.
  4. The content list will show you the currently published slider items.
  5. Check the box at left of the item (or items) you want to unpublish. Do this by clicking the box.
  6. Set Operations to “Unpublish”
  7. Click Execute button. The item is unpublished and no longer appears on the Home Page.

Photo Gallery Instructions

  1. Log in to website. You need permissions of “Photo Editor” or above to perform the next steps.
  2. Prepare your photos
    1. You may use png, gif, jpg or jpeg files.
    2. Make sure the images have been resized so the short edge is no more than 1300 pixels.
    3. Save the resized images in an easily-found folder on your computer.
  3. Navigate to Photo Gallery page.
  4. Click on “Add image-gallery” link in right-sidebar.
  5. On the “Create Image Gallery” form:
    1. Add a title
    2. Add body text. The editor will allow you to apply formatting as desired.
    3. In the add new files box on the right,
      1. Click “Browse” and browse to the folder in step 2.3, above and select the photos you want to add.
      2. Click “Upload”
        1. Note the 8 Mb upload limitation. You may have to do multiple uploads if you have a lot of files or if you didn’t shrink them sufficiently.
      3. Thumbnails of all the images should appear in a column on the right.
      4. You can drag images into a different sequence if desired.
      5. You can add a title to each image by typing into the Title box associated with each image.
    4. When ready, click the “Save” button on the bottom left of the form.
    5. Return to the Photo Gallery (click on PhotoGallery menu item at top) and see your new gallery at the top of the page. These are arranged in descending order by date created.
    6. You can edit an individual image gallery by clicking its title, then the “Edit” tab and modifying the text, rearranging the images, adding images, etc.
      1. Remember to click the “Save” button when done.

3/14/18

Log In / Log Out

  1. How to Log In
    1. Go to http://www.arboretumfriends.org/user
    2. Enter username and password (separate email).
    3. If successful, will get new 2-line menu at top. Note your username and “Log out” button at right end of new menu.
    4. Also, you will get several new links in right sidebar (see “WebDev Links”)
  2. How to Log out
    1. Click on log out button at right end to top black menu bar.
    2. Alternative log out method: go to http://www.arboretumfriends.org/user/logout

12/21/15

A Winning Combination for Shade

Cornus kousa‚ÄîKorean Dogwood,  cv. Wolf Eyes

This is a terrific small variegated Dogwood that makes a perfect focal point in a shady garden.  The variegation holds up well and doesn’t burn or darken.  The white edges actually turn pinkish in the fall, giving the whole tree a lovely glow. The flowers are numerous, but small and creamy.  They last a long time, but are not as noticeable as some of the recent hybrids.  This is a tree to grow for its variegated leaves, which really light up a dark corner.

Asarum europaeum—European Ginger

If you are looking for an elegant, well behaved, low evergreen groundcover for full shade, this is a good one to try.  It grows 4-6″ tall with glossy dark green leaves, and spreads very slowly from rhizomes.  It likes moist soils high in organic matter, but once established it can withstand dry conditions.  In early spring it has a globular brownish flower that hangs down underneath the leaves, but you have to get down on your hands and knees to see it.  This is a great plant to place at the feet of rhododendrons and azaleas, or any shrubs in the woodland garden.

 

Astilbe chinensis—Chinese Astilbe

I have grown the original A. chinensis cv. ‚ÄòVisions’ (a strong dark pink with upright flower stalks) for many years and give it highest marks.  It seems sturdier than most of the A. arendsii hybrids on the market.  Mine is sited in moist, organic soils in part shade.  If it gets too much sun or dries out, the edges will burn, like most astilbes.  My clumps have been growing gradually larger over the years.  I divided some and moved them to the edge of a woodland garden, where they make a dramatic focal point when they’re in bloom.  The very attractive foliage starts out with a bronze tint in the spring, and then turns greener in the summer.  I look forward to trying the pale pink and white versions of this outstanding plant.

Judy Snow

 

 

Look again at Grasses

Ornamental grasses come and go in popularity but serve so many purposes that a collection of different types can enhance your overall design. 

'Aureola'Grasses have more than one season of interest and there are grasses that flower in Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Some even have spectacular Fall color. If left standing over the winter, grasses provide a strong element in the landscape.

Grasses are unequaled in bringing texture and sound to the garden. The sound of the wind rustling through grass is soothing  and tranquil. There are tall grasses and short ones, fine textured and impressive, with wonderful flowers. Grasses for sun and shade.

There is a grass for every garden.Some are fillers, some are ground covers, some are container plants,some make a very strong statement and all are deer resistant.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Hakonechloa macra is not particularly colorful but it makes an impressive statement planted en masse  or mixed in a perennial border, or grown in a container. It cascades gracefully at about two feet. It grows more quickly, tolerates more sun and is very hardy. My collection of grasses would not be complete without it.

Hakonchloa macra ‘Aurieola’ is a beacon in the shady garden. It grows more slowly than macra but is well worth the wait. It looks beautiful cascading over a wall or the side of a container.

'Northwind'Panicum North Wind  A tall upright blue grass growing to five feet with airy white plumes in September makes a statement in the border and remains upright through the winter.

Carex Ice Cream  Although technically a sedge, C. Ice Cream reminds me of Cousin It from the Adams Family. A rich green with creamy white stripes growing to two feet it makes an excellent ground cover in the shade.

Sue Acheson

Iris for the Home Garden

Immortality

I think of irises the same way I feel about comfort food.  It was a plant that was in my grandmother’s garden, and probably there before her time too.  The cheery flowers, the pale green, swordlike foliage, and upright stance are valuable assets to any garden.   And there is a wide variety of cultivars are available for varied sites and soil conditions.

Iris germanica, or the familiar bearded iris, has an amazing array of colors.  Earl of Essex has white petals stippled and edged in violet, and has the distinction of being a rebloomer.   Feed-Back is fragrant and a stunning blue-violet.  Immortality (at right) is fragrant too, with ruffled soft white petals and pale lemon beards.   It is also a rebloomer, as is Clarence, a near white with light blue falls.  Jurassic Park has a buttercup yellow standard and lavender falls, and is a multiple award winner in the iris world.

The variety Iris pallida ‚ÄòArgentea Variegata’ (below) features soft green leaves with creamy white edges and a violet flower.  The foliage makes it a standout in the garden.

Argentea Variegata

Iris ensata or Japanese Water Iris lives happily in wet sites, unlike its bearded cousin.  It is also tolerant of partial shade.  Fortune has purple falls while Loyalty is deep purple with yellow stripes on purple crests.  Lion King is a collector’s favorite with strong white centers edged in deep violet.  And Rose Queen is a delicate beauty with a unique pale rose pink hue and flowers in a pendant form.

Last but not least is Iris siberica or Siberian iris, with grasslike leaves topped by showy, beardless flowers.  Tolerant of both wet and dry sites, Caesar’s Brother is a deep blue violet.  White Swirl is similarly site tolerant, with a yellow throat surrounded by creamy white petals.

All irises are low maintenance and have that all important feature, great deer resistance.

 

Sally Hemsen