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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1978-04-27, Page 43ea. Mix. and match flowers Chooke plants suitable for the site. To avoid problems and disappointnients, select plants suited „to the condition of the chosen site. Plants such as zinnia, celosia, arabis and cerastium adapted to hot, dry conditions should not be planted in a shady location. , Arrange according to height. Arrange plants according to their height •relationships to other plants. A border or bed with view from one side should have the tallest plants in the background, inter mediate height plants in the central portion of the bed and, shortest plants in the foreground. Allow plant height to drift into /different height zones to give, a nafural appearance. Arrange- -- ment should not be so rigid as, to give a step-like appearance to the garden. A border with view along both sides should be arranged with the tallest plants in the .4 central portion of the bed. Medium and short plants can be arranged toward the foreground. What is meant by tall; medium and short in height relationship will vary with plants seletted. 'In a solid annual bed, three feet may be considered tall, where in a ,perennial or mixed border, height up to five to six feet might be considered tall. Similarly, short plants . may ran • e from ants foil': to twelve incheS. Edging plants or ground covers such as alyssum; lobelia, snow-in-summer arid dwarf phlox' are examples. To illustrate-the -height relation- ship, consider the majestic Pacific hybrid delphinium, helenium„ hollyhock, dahlia and lythrum as background plants with drifts of columbine, sweet shasta daisy, maltese cross, •cpreopsis and hardy chrysan- themum as intermediate plants. Coral bells, armeria, Iceland poppy, candy tuft and pinks can drift into the foreground: Inter- sperse spring bulbs such as scilla, chionodoxa, tulips, daffodil, hyacinth and crocus to give early spring colour. Arrange according to form and 'texture: . Mix plants with vertical and horizontal forms. Spike flowers such as veronica, snapdragon, lupine and• stocks should be interplanted with horizontal plant farms of petunia, chrysanthemum or basket:of-gold. Mix flat-topped flowers, globular flowerS, trumpet flowers and spike flowers for interest. Col cur of foliage and texture of foliage can be used to enhance composition. Foliage colour can soften flower colour dominance in a garden, masking, harsh colour clashes. Blending plant form, flower and foliage textures leads to natural appearance and i„.pleasing composition: Arrange' according to flowering period. • Attempt to arrange plants so the sequence of—;floivering is distributed throughout the border form spring to late fall. Consider sequential flowering Within the centre height zone. Each zone Should show colour throughout the- season. Annual' and bulbs may be supplemented in a mixed border to achieve continuity of colour. Arrange plants in groupings. To creats massive ap_pearance of less prominent or less showy plants, arrange 'these ''in grpupingS to achieve prominence.- A Single delphinium appears lost in a massive: flower bed, but grouping brings out stately attributes. Generally, the upright plants show well grouped in odd numbers. Colour arrangement. Colour is a very' person taste-- response to colour is based On what one perceives and interprets. Today. our society is much bolder with colour.. What Was frowned 'upon Yesterday may be accepted today. The niod look and psychedelic colours have. turned some people on. A novice , gardener can avoid difficulties by using basic TrineipleS in colour arrangement. Colour selection and use should relate to the total surroundings, creating• a harmonious effect. Guides to colour use. One-colour plantings may •be pleasing. k contriiSt verbene or red petunia will look rich in large masses backed with ddminance of greenery provided by lawn, trees and shrubs. For example, a large bed of bright red verbene looks invigorating against a background of rich green horizOntal juniper. All white plantings will provide a cool effect in hot areas. Mixed with greenery, white flowers look pleasing during the evening. Cool effects can also be accomplished with all blue plantings. Harmonious colour arrange- ments can be achieved' by, novice gardeners: Using closely related colours, clashes of colours can be avoided. Harmonious arrange-,,, ment is best illustrated in a composite or mixed garden of annual's, perennial§ and shrubs. • Consider these combinations: red and violet petunias; yellow gladiolus with yellow, orange and bronze snapdragons; red salvias, pink petunias and orange zittniagi,"' purple delphiniums and red bleeding heart. Blue petunias with yellow snapdragons or blue larkspur with orange calendula provide good contrast. In any , arrangement, use less intense colours in large masses with smaller proportions of intense colour. If red and white petunias ate used, plant a large proportion of whites. •Contrast is more effective in large areas. To avoid a colour smorgasborg, use herbaceous plants or shrubs with attractiye green and' silvery gray, foliage to dilute objection- able contrast. Drifts of white flowers interspersed with greenery will also reduce possible clashes. Pale yellow can be used as a blender. Do not skimp. Plant sufficient plants within each grouping for best effects. !Use dominant colours in large areas and plant vivid colours in Irern of dark green foliage of — perennials, shrubs, fence or' For • sophistiCated colour' ^. arrangement, use straight colour cultivars. Repetition of colour throughout the •border is effective. Plants defined. A nnuals are plants that live for only one season. Marigolds, petunias, snap- dragons and zinnias are ex- _ amples of annuals. Biannuals live for two seasons. Foxgloves and sweet Williams .are. ex- amples of biannuals. Perennials come up •year after year .with proper care. , Peoples, California pop- pies, columbine and r roses are perennials. Bulbs can be dug up and stored for replanting after they 4have finished. flower- ing.• Tulips are examples. • The replacable spool contains enough line for one season. "NEEDLE" is its name CONVENIENCE is its game. Two speeds forward with V-belt adjustment. Reverse gear wip,safety .lock 2r) C2 type. Breaking up ground for planting. Mixing in fertilizers or other soil conditioners, ' Cultivating and weed-control. Re-planting existing gardens. Landscaping. Cultivating near and around fences. The C1 type with 2 forward speeds is most suit- able for lightwork: The C2 type with 2 foiward speeds •and 1 reverse speed is able to perform a wider variety of work. ROTOSOSS-500- Rotary Tiller Headlights 10 Hp/Electric Start/38 Inch Cut/Tyan Saxie Transmission Highway 86 East, Wingham, Ontario. • . ,