WHITBY FREZ PRESSWEDNESDÂY, MAY 9, 199, PAGE 1n A littie planning makes fora gretg gade There. are many good roasons for makbd changes in the family gaden.Peerps the eîlidren hve ,growvn up and the sandbox and swing are no longer down on paper. Make a scale drawing of the space you have now and the plants it contains. For small gardens, a mcale of 1:20 generally ie moat appropriate. Although it's not possible to please everyone, niake a list of al the requests each family member bam for thîs special garden space. Then, one by one, liminate those Ihat don't fit into the budget, untilyo9e lefi with a more manýz'Iwis;h list. Before you start deigming the changes, remember to keep what is good. There may well be certain elements with which you are quitepleased. Put them into jthe scale drawing firat and work inew materials around them. A well-developed shrub or a nioely paved path can form the basis for your new plan. When chooeing plant materials, remember that a design in which some shrubs form the framework and where perennials and bulbe predonnnate will, in general, provide, the moot satisfactory display with the least amount of work. Allow the bulbe and tubera to dominate ini the spring and let the perenmials take over throuh the summer. Here and there, tlhe perennials cari be suppoeted by amone summer-fiowering bulbe and tubera. Ini the spots where the spring-fiowering bulbe bloom early on,,annuals can MIl the gap later in the season. This way, you will develop a garden which offers a succession of bloom and color from early spring through late fali. Light is a critical factor in garden planning. If you have lived in your home for smre time, you probably know which spots get the best sun and at which time of day. However, if you've just znoved into a newhouse, you may need to observe the garden area closely for a week or two to determine what you have to work with. If you have a sbady space, avoid the sun-loving plants that will become tal and leggy without direct exposure. Arnong buibous plants, tuberous begonias are beet for bright shade, while the early fiowering Holland bulbe, such as crocus and narcissus, bloom profusely in aras that wil later in the summer be shaded by the leaves of deciduous trees. Color, texture,, form, height and flowering season: variety is the seul of the' garden. Properly planned niixtures dlight the eye and change continually as the season advances. Flowers certainly corne firet to, mid for moat gardeners and more, such as tulipe, gladiolus, tuberous begonias, liles and dahlias, fer a veritable artiet'e palete of colors from which te, choose. However, dont forget those plants with textured foliage (e.g. fthr ferns, broad-leaved hot, etc.) to, set off the bright colors of spring-blooming dafoIls or colorfl begonias. Remember that shape adds variety, too. Gladiolus are ta]l, straight and appear far toolinear when planted alone while low, Summer-flowering bulbs can be planted in the spring and enjoyed through the long suxnmer and early fail blooming period throughtout Canada. One of the most delightful is Acidanthera, also called Abysinian gladiolus or the Peacock orchid. Looking rnounding annuals lack relief. However, planted together with intermediate types, theyrnake a delightful combination. Further, plants placed againat walls and fences take up little room but offer a very decorative effect, au, use them generously. Outdoor containers, fiiled with annuals or surnmer-flowering bulbe and tubers, bring an additional dimension te, the garden. You can place them where a splash of extra color je needed and, for many of the bulbous planta, move them remtarkably like small-flowered gladiolus,,this one has a deliejous fragrance, as do a number of other summer-flowering bulbs -- such as Galtonia candficansr, the summer hyacinth and Polianthesr tuberosa, the tuberose. indoors for the winter.' The actual planting je the last step in creating your newly designed garden. Consider the soil type and the site condition before e annngHeavy cday soila drain poorly d lead to problema with rot, while sandy solle drain too weil and require constant watering. In both caes9, organic mnatter - such as peat compost or decomposed manure - will solve the problem. If your garden site jesteeply sloped, erosion will beconie a problern; a fiat spot, however, is monotonous and may drain poorly. In the former case, terracing and regrading je recommended and, in the latter situation, raised bede are the easiest solution. (Raisd beds also are a boon to e nior gardeners for whom kneeling and bending bave become more difficuit.) Overaily, a combination of Dutch bulbes ad tubera, perennials and annuals, make a pleasiîng display and forai the basis of a garden that will bring pleasure te the whole family for years to corne. 1