HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-05-06, Page 18JIM ANDERSON
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RR #1 Bayfield, Ont. NOM 1G0
PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 6,1998.
4
Home 4Siz Carder '9S
Foxgloves worth a second look by gardeners
Foxgloves are at times passed
over as "too common" by some
gardeners. They might want to step
back and take a second look. The
digitalis family is a treasure-trove
of under-used perennial and
biennial gems.
Distinctly spotted, bell-shaped
flowers are the common
characteristic linking the foxglove
family. Plants range in height from
under 30cm to over 3m. Digitalis
comes in pure white, pale through
bright yellow, peach, apricot,
strawberry pink, rusty red, deep
red, purple, plum and maroon.
Both perennial and biennial
digitalis are easy to grow from
seed, germinating quickly and
reliably. In early spring, fill seed
flats with a sterile, soil-less seed
starting mixture. Moisten mixture
thoroughly but be careful not to
Continued from page 17
reflects their personal taste and
style.
Experts suggest thinking of
accessories as part of the total look
of the bathroom. Now that
accessories are available with
styling and metal or colour finishes
that match faucet lines, it's easier to
create a unified theme in the room.
For example, if you've selected
contemporary faucets in a brushed
chrome finish, look for brushed
chrome towel bars and a toilet
tissue holder in a complementary
style.
Another popular option is to
match china accessories to the
color of the fixtures in the bath.
There are some not-so-obvious
accessory choices that are practical
and can help carry the design theme
throughout the room. These include
towel rings, shelves (especially
useful when the bath is equipped
with a pedestal lavatory), robe
hooks, wire baskets that can hold a
variety of bath paraphernalia,
mirrors, cabinet knobs, and even
toilet trip levers.
Accessories are important
elements whether the project is a
totally new room or a facelift for an
existing space.
In a new project requiring a
soak the mixture or seeds may rot.
Sprinkle seeds on top, then lightly
press them into the surface of the
damp mixture. Do not cover seeds
with the soil-less mixture, as
digitalis requires light to germinate.
Place a clear plastic cover over
flats.
Place covered seed flats on top of
the fridge, maintaining a soil
temperature of 20°C (70°F). Keep
mixture moist. Germination occurs
within 14-21 days. Remove cover
after seeds germinate and move the
flat of seedlings to a bright window
sill. Keep mixture evenly moist,
misting with a spray bottle a few
times a day.
After they develop their first set
of true leaves, thin seedlings out.
Most soil-less seed starting
mixtures offer little nutritional
value to growing seedlings, so
apply a weak, half-strength mixture
major investment, experts advise
that you consider accessories both
in terms of budget and the total
design scheme. Carefully selected
accessory items can be that little
extra touch that pulls the entire
project together.
Clever use of accessories can
spruce up an existing bath as well.
For example, antique-styled faucets
and accessories paired with a
mirror in an heirloom frame can
suggest a period motif without a
major redo.
Accessories are small items that
allow you to be the designer. They
offer a lot of opportunity for
individual expression.
Beyond the styling details,
quality materials and construction
need to be considered as well.
When selecting metal
accessories, look for solid brass
construction. Solid brass provides
the best base for a specialized metal
or colored finish; and because brass
is corrosion-resistant, it is well-
suited for the high humidity of the
bathroom environment.
The finish on the piece should be
hard smooth with a deep luster and
no obvious imperfections. And if
you select accessories with a
polished brass finish, be sure that
each piece has a durable clear coat
to prevent tarnishing.
of water-soluble fertilizer (20-20-
20 or an organic alternative) every
5 days.
When seedlings outgrow seed
flats, transplant into 9cm pots.
After danger of frost has passed,
place young plants outside in a cold
frame to harden off. If you don't
have a cold frame, place young
foxgloves outside during the day
and bring in at night.
Transplant into the garden when
young plants reach 10-12cm tall.
Digitalis grows in almost any type
of well-drained soil (with adequate
moisture) and thrives in full sun
through partial shade.
If started early indoors or -in a
heated greenhouse, some varieties
may bloom the first year from seed.
The majority of perennial and
biennial digitalis do not bloom until
the second year. Once established
in the garden, digitalis self-sows
freely and should naturalize. You
can help them along by cutting ripe
seed stalks off and shaking seed
around the garden. Dig up and
move extra plants in spring or early
fall.
Experts say look at fixture -
as part of room's total look
JOHN McKERCHER
CONSTRUCTION LTD.
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