The Rural Voice, 2004-05, Page 39Lorraine cautions that we have to
be more open to what is happening
around us and offers not only plant
suggestions but thoughts and
references on ever-changing habitat
and how we.figure into it all. Among
her books is a particularly useful and
quick reference guide entitled 100
Easy -to -Grow Native Plants.
Published by Random House in 1999,
it is just as pertinent today as when it
was published. So is The New Ontario
Naturalized Garden which is a really
good read, published by Whitecap
Books.
One last point. With ever-changing
habitats and overbearing introduced
species, it can be difficult to observe
true native species. The trick is to get
an identification guide — Peterson or
Audubon — and head out to an old
cemetery. Yes a cemetery. Not only
do these plots lay out our community
and family history but are now
showing they are repositories of
historical plants.
Robert Leverty of the Ontario
Historical Society spoke to the Huron
Genealogical Society on the battle to
save'old cemeteries. Part of his lecture
touched on several cemeteries that are
no longer active and with the aid of a
video we.could see the growth of old
trees, and the return of native meadow
plants to these areas. Some threatened
species have shown up in these
untouched areas and offer a wealth of
information for botanists and
biologists. Some of the larger city
cemeteries are repositories for trees
planted a hundred years ago,
wonderful specimens we can enjoy
today.
So we don't need to go tramping
over someone's farmland or bush to
observe native plants thriving. We
need only look to our own parks, and
cemeteries.
One last caution. Travel without
the shovel. Observe first and then talk
to local growers and landscapers in
your area. We have to request
these plants and create a demand.
In the last Canadian Gardening
magazine I counted over 22 suppliers
of native plants/seeds. Not bad.
Our challenge is to encourage
natives while still enjoying our
behaved additions to the garden.
Now back to the thistles and gout
weed.0
TE -EM
FARM
Where wonderful ideas
and plants grow
The greenhouses are a sight to behold.
Thousands of varieties including water
plants, geraniums, hanging baskets
and perennials, etc.
Beautifying Huron County and your
gardens since 1981
A must stop for the gardener who
appreciates top quality and selection.
Bring your containers and we will lovingly
fill them with the plants you like.
Goderich T
Telephone Rd.
N
• TE -EM
FARM
Huron County *13 Clinton
Bayfield
Open
Mon - Fri.
8 to 8
Sat. & Sun.
9 to 6
TE -EM FARM
Home of "Ted's Tasty Tomatoes"
R.R. #1, Bayfield
Orchard Line 77688
482-3020
"Our experience
assures lower cost
water wells"
104 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Member of Canadian
and Ofitario
Water Well Associations
• Farm
• Industrial
• Suburban
• Municipal
Licensed
by the Ministry
of the Environment
1'"• is
11—
DAVIDSON
WELL DRILLING LTD.
WINGHAM
Serving Ontario Since 1900
519-357-1960 WINGHAM
519-664-1424 WATERLOO
* Nursery Farm * Garden Centre * Conservation
* Landscape Design and Installation
Greenbelt Farm is the source for the widest selection of
top-quality nursery stock in the area. Shade trees,
conservation trees and shrubs, roses, perennials, fruit
trees and much more. We are open seven days a week,
8:00-8:00 through the spring planting season. 24 hour
answering machine is always on, so call anytime.
Nursery is located 5 miles north of Mitchell,
1/2 mile east of Bornholm
John Drummond, R.R. #5 Mitchell
Ph/fax 519-347-2725
MAY 2004 35