The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, May 19, 1999 Page 13 Three Degrees of Shade Many gardeners find shady gardens challenging, simply because fewer plants thrive in the shade than in the sun. : A woman who is just starting out gardening told me that she walks through the greenhouse choosing plants-I like that and that and that one- but then finds that all her choices need a sunny location. "What can I grow in the shade?" she implored. Her question is common and not easily answered until we know how shady her garden is. There are different degrees of shade which determine what plants can be grown. If the shaded shaded area receives almost no sunlight, for example, accept that nothing will grow well there. A mulch of white or a light- coloured rock can be used to brighten the area. Most gardens are not shaded to that extreme. There may be other factors, however, which also limit what (or how) plants can be grown. Dry, Shady Areas Beside the old farmhouse where my husband Ted and I raised our family, large trees on the. north side not only provided fairly dense shade but also blocked out rain. Our solution to planting planting in this dry, shaded area was to set out matching pots brimming over with bright tuberous begonias and trailing' English ivy. This solution also works well underneath underneath evergreen trees, such as spruce, where the underlying soil will be not only shaded and dry but also quite acidic. Wet, Shady Areas At the other extreme, when the shaded area is very moist, plant perennials perennials such as astilbe, coltsfoot, meadowsweet meadowsweet or rayfiower, which thrive in these conditions. Bog rosemary "Blue Ice" is a pretty perennial that produces pink flowers in May and June; its icy- blue foliage provides year-round colour. ! Nolana is a blue-flowered annual that does well in partially shaded, wet areas. Mimulus, with its richly coloured, tubular flowers, is one of the most versatile annuals, growing well in wet locations and thriving in either full sun or full shade. Very Shady Areas Ferns and woodland perennials, such as bloodroot, trillium and jack-in- the-pulpit, take more shade than most other plants. Begonias and torenia withstand more shade than most other flowering annuals. As a groundcover, try goutweed, twinflower or bunchber- ry. Certain wildflowers, including wild crocus, shooting star and the wild tiger lily, are well-suite3 to shady gardens. Astilbe, bleeding heart, hosta, ornamental ornamental grasses and primroses are perennials that are happiest with more shade than sun. Both gentians and pul- monaria will produce flowers of rich [blue in this part of the garden. Somewhat Shady Areas When the garden is only partially shaded, the possibilities in plants are •almost endless, even when the garden ^receives more shade than sun. ; Day lilies are one of the most versar [tile perennials and offer a full spec- drum of flower colours. In partially [shaded areas, they produce lots of •blooms, although not to the extreme iprofusion that they do in full-sun loca- itions. ) For a striking and colourful ground- [covcr in the partially shaded garden, ;try the Variegated Fleeceflowcr •(Fallopia japonica "Variegata"). This [outstanding new plant has lacy foliage :in subtle shades of green, white, pink [•and rose and clusters of fine, feathery ; white flowers. Suitable vines include i Healthier Roses ■ Beautiful roses are a sure sign of a : serious and successful gardener, Roses take more care and attention than most .garden plants, but the results can be [spectacular. • Choosing the right kind of roses for [your environment and the effect you're trying to achieve will get you started right. Roses come in a variety ! of shapes and sizes, and not all varieties varieties arc suited to the harsher growing regions of Canada. Bush Roses • Bush roses include hybrid tea roses, [the type that grow a single flower on a [stem, and can grow to three feet in •height or more. While very beautiful land suitable for cutting, they arc [among the most difficult roses to grow. •due to their susceptibility to disease land insect damage. They need regular [maintenance to look theft best. Other types of bush roses include the flori- , blindas, a type with several flowers on ;cach stem. They are somewhat hardier I than tea roses and arc also available in [a wide range of colours, but arc less ^suitable for cutting. Another type of Ibush rose is the grandifiora, a cross [between the hybrid tea rose and the ! Iloribunds, with some of the best char- laclcristics of each. While not as hardy [as the fioribunda, they offer clusters of •large tea-rose type blooms on long istems, Shrub Roses ! Slmib roses are some of the best [types to blend with other plants in a [landscape. They are natural-looking, [low-maintenance shrubs that are often highly resistant to insect and disease problems and are hardy in cold temperatures. temperatures. variegated Virginia creeper "Starshowcrs" (Parthenocissus quin- quefolia) and some of the species of clematis (but not the hybrid varieties). In annuals, impatiens provide a solid carpet of flowers in an unsurpassed unsurpassed range of colours. Browallia grows into a striking, rounded bush that is absolutely covered with gorgeous gorgeous bluebell-like flowers; it does best in a site sheltered from wind. Nemcsia's open-faced flowers resemble miniature orchids, and nemophila has delicate flowers in either pure sky-blue or black with white accents. Ivy and zonal geraniums geraniums take more shade than other types, as do double-flowered petunias. Use coleus, dracaena, dusty miller, spider plant or any type of ivy to accent shaded planters. Hanging baskets baskets of fuchsia or black-eyed Susan vine, with bits of lobelia and trailing ivy tucked in, look stunning hooked onto branches of trees. Planting Shady Gardens New perennials and bedding plants should be added to shady gardens late in the spring, in early or mid June, after the soil has become warm to the touch. I usually advocate planting early in spring as a means of extending the growing season, but shaded areas are an exception to this rule. Shade- loving plants are fussy about temperatures temperatures and can suffer at even a few degrees above freezing. Remember that the amount of shade your garden receives changes over the years as plants mature. Even during a growing season, it will change as trees leaf out or reach their mature heights and the sun moves to a different angle in the summer sky. You can pick up Lois Hole's latest book, Spring Gardening, at leading garden centres and book stores across Canada. ©j.p. Price's Country Greenhouses Visit us for Bedding Plants Hanging Baskets Herbs • Perennials Organic Products Seeds • Soils • Fertilizer Asparagus Roots Rhubarb Plants Seed Potatoes Come • Browse • Enjoy! Corner of Hwy. 2 and Lamb's Rd. Bowmanvillc 623-5043 Tupperware for every occasion • Bridal Showers • Fundraisers • Microwave Cooking Classes WE SPECIALIZE IN HOME PRESENTATIONS Party Plan for Hostess To book a parly Call Louise 623-4768 Job opportunities available. AAMCO HOME IMPROVEMENTS QUALITY WORKMANSHIP SINCE 1974 SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION All Styles - Picture, Slider, Tilt, Casement, Bow, Bay Specializing in Vinyl & Aluminum Custom Replacement Windows THERMAL & STORM DOORS & WINDOWS PATIO DOORS - STANLEY STEEL DOORS SIDING & EAVESTROUGHING IN-HOME DEMONSTRATIONS Call 623-6828 building centres SPRING PROJECT HEADQUARTERS m : PRESSURE TREATED LUMBER .... l uk 2" x 4" 2"x6" 8 ft. 3 28 W each C60 weach .10 ft. A10 ■700 "Teach f each 12ft. A92 • each 040 %Peacfv ,14 ft. C74 080 ^ each <*#each 16ft. £56 4 4 20 W each ■ I each ■Hr Mi * ; 4 89 03* 1 5tt. ft. LATTICE Ideal for decks, ; fences and • other outdoor projects. ' TIP OF THE MONTH: Measurement Taking: Having trouble remembering measurements? Place a piece of masking tape on your rule/tape and you will have a place to jot down the measurements. Project #3: DECK PROJECTS Relax. It's a Trex Deck. No Sealing. No Splinters. No Hassles EASY CARE • No sealing or weatherproofing required. • No sanding needed. PEOPLE-FRIENDLY g ([S y care dating • Splinter-free. • Excellent traction, wet or dry. EXTREMELY DURABLE ! • Holds up to rain, snow, sun and heat. • Won't split, crack, splinter or rot. • Resists termites and other insects, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY • Made from reclaimed or recycled materials. • No preservations. GREAT FOR MANY USES Decking, Playground Equipment, Marinas, Boardwalks/Walkways, Pool Surrounds, Site Amenities, Landscaping, Fencing, H Increase thé value of your home and do-it-yourself. No more painting. Easy to install. j 97 sq. ft. coverage per square. square castle OF MONTH Exterior Wood STAIN • Linseed Oil Based • Solid Hiding • Cedar • Redwood «Walnut LANDSCAPING TIES 4 #199 each 6" x 6" x 8' MINI TIES 3" x 5" x 8' 4 99 each Prices In effect until May 29th, 1999. CASH AND CARRY DELIVERY AVAILABLE. Orono Lumber Limited 85 Station St. Orono Sût ■■ t ' X B HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sat. 7:30 a.m. ■ 2 p.m. (905) 983-9167 )TOIOTOXOXOXOXOTOTOTOrotQTC3TO~XOrOIOXO^