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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1970-08-13, Page 3• 6 .41 ST=14.. 4. • 4110 .„ . • .* • • fiat the BYA.JLBUCKLEV At one. time or another, almost everyone who gardens is confronted with the prohlem of planting in the shade. There are usually four sides to a hotVse and one of these sides may call for I plants that will _tolerate shady conditions, There • is also the shade of trees, large shrubs and • overhang, all of which present special problems. • If, when such a situation arises, you can 'face .it objectively, you have a much better chance of success. Shade can, in fact often does, become • an asset rather than a liability. A good example of this may be seen y watching nature, for you have only to walk throughhe woods on a sunny day a d observe the patterns of sunlight and shadow On the forest floor to realize the significance, of • shade. Of course,. pattern in texture, form and color of the leaves and bark also contributes to a pleasing effect. One thing has to be sacrificed in !most shady plantings and that is an abundance of strong flower colors. There are many attractive annuals such as begonias, coleus or impatiens, that will flower Well in the shade and can provide.. the color you xant in some areas, but not much can be expected from, , the permanent . -.As-with 'all •plantings, suceeli in the shade depends upOn rhaify . facets, of which good soil is the most important. Often the home gardener's • problem of growing plants in the shade Aes not so much in the selection of plants as in very poor, root -infested soil. Nothing, not even grass, can grow unless there are some nutrients available; to try to grow anything near the base of an old elm tree is next to impossible unless a special receptacle is constructed in which to grow the plants. Another factor is one otacidity. Some shaded soils may be acid and must first be tested, for pH or acidity' and Mien, if necessary, treated with charcoal or lime. When I write of shade, I mean the shade ' of, a tree or hbuse. Deep shade would be on the north side of a house where no sun ever shines; inedium,s4de is .ou the fibrtheast.. side ,where mprning sun appears,for an hour • of so, or in the chequeredhade of a small -leaved tree. , There are a few trees-thatwill grow in deep shade, the most easily available being the hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), which is a natural understory tree (grows_ under larger trees) of our native woodlands. Another, but slower growing understory tree is thg blue beech (Carpinus • caroliniana `Virginiana'), a tree with verf hard wood, -but one 4. r t • k s4 • • . „ -1"ttenwirtip' OT' periwinkle time. -makestan excaentspesmanentgrountl,toverfortfie.sfiider..-— % abundance of berries that win Solomon's seal (Polygonatum which, although native, may be hard to et . illuminate any dark darner.. multiflorum) both flower very The best- vines for shade are well in the shade, and their - Trees that willwithstand medium shade are the Allegheny shadblow (Amelanchier laevis), one that provides showy early spring >bloom in eastern regions, the black cherry (Prunus serotina), which like all cherries has beauty of bark and fresh early -spring foliage, and the sugar maple (Acer saecharum), the beauty. of which is so well known. There are many shrubs that will grow in the shade. For deepest shade, try the Showhill hydrangea - (Hydrangea • arborescens `Grandiflora') or its new cultivar 'Annabelle', either Will still bear large trusses of white flowers in August and September. The Alpine currant .(Ribes alpinum), ' well known"s a hedge plant, will make a very usefulspecimen Shrub: All yews, including. the very hardy Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata)., flourish and produce their bright red fruits in abundance, if you manage to plant enough of both sexes. The • creeping wintercreeper • (Euonymus fortunei `Carriern and - the sn o w berry (Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus) will flourish in a very shady location and reward.You in fall with an the • Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus .quinquefolia) and the climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris). Not many folks are. aware of the hydrangea that climbs. It is- an excellent climber which will fasten itself to brick with great tenacity, and does .best on an east or north wall. JNhen grown in such locations,, it is quite hardy in eastern Canada but will soon succumb t� the winters if placed in an exposed position. The Boston ivy. (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), the Dutchman's pipe. (Aristblochia durior) and the bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) grow best in half shade or on a 'western wall.. , Some excellent ,groundcovers for dense shade', are the ferns, such as the maidenhair fern, lady fern • and leatherwood fern Which, however, need a good rich peaty soil. The wild ginger with its very distinctive -large., pale green leaves, the hepaticas, of course, for they grow in the woodlands, the plantain lilies (Hosta ssp.), and the wonderful li1Y-of-the-valley are all great plants for deep shade. The • Virginia bluebell (Mertensia virginica) and the Sow' perennial seed now for flowers next year Many perennial flowers can be peat to a sandy soil will be started from seed in August and. beneficial. The soil should be will be ready to flower the. well 'raked and worked up to following year. According to --provide a good seedbed. About 2 horticulturists with the Ontario -ounces of super -phosphate Department of Agriculture and fertilizer per bushel of mixture Food, perennial flower seeds can will increase plant growth. be sown in flats or cold frames The seeds should be sown in or in beds in the garden. . • rows and lightly covered' with The soil should be well soil. ,The depth of sowing will prepared as many •of the seeds vary but a good rule bf thumb 'is are quite small. The addition of to cover the seed' to twice its sand and peat to a clay soil or of thickness with soil. When the seedlings . are large enough to handle they should be transplanted' to other flats or beds so that they have sufficient rooni to develop satisfactorily. They can be overwintered in beds provided good protection is available, or they may be overwintered in cold frames covered with 'Wood. The following spring these plants can be set in the perennial border. Prepare soil now for fall lawn seiding Right now, is the best time to prepare the lawn area for fall seeding, according to horticulturists with the Ontario Department of Agriculture and Food. This will allow sufficient time for initial preparation which, if well done, will reduce the work and cost of maintenance. • of five or six. inches. If the topsoil has been removed during • construction it must be replaced., If the soil is heavy it can be made ' more pliable by the addition of organic matter such as manure, leaftnold, compost or peat. • Late suit -wrier or ea• rly fall is the safest time to start the new The lawn area should , be lawn. By then the hottest and covered with topsoil to, a depth driest part of the summer has Woody e rs add ga en beau Woody climbers are valuable for softening harsh lines or screening unattractive views, say horticulturists With the Ontario • • Department of Agriciilture and Food. • Their iise in garden landscaping can do much to i in prove appearances and sr. passed and most weeds have stopped growing. In treed areas the leaves will soon fall, which will allow the sunlight'to aid the new growth. Seedineat this time, will the seedlings'. to be well established before winter In spring the 'already - established grass can get off to a good start before the trees leaf out and before the hot, dry weather begins. Gaeden hints To get maximum flovver production from your lilacs next spring, the faded 'blossoms should be removed before they have set seed.. - • Horticulturists with the good floral display or (an 0 n t ar i o ' Department . of attractive fruit can be used. ' Agriculture and Food say'ihat a --. ' good clean cut -Should be made Climbers can also be used On a to remove the flower just above small property to create a. the new opposite branches rand boundary and, yet take up less below the flower spike. This will space than ' shrubs. A cause the food to be channeled rapid -growing, dense plimber into a new shoot and' bud • that vequ res , little attention produce eye -pleasing effects. .... should be considered, Attractive A,..„,,,,,,, , ""'"Ir•t7ftitillititi*InVIlerisCarabelltIr%lfildieklyittanAok:IthiVqie,61e/,tnrMr"TATA4T.447,M;„X`%'..017ILT't '''V'T'' '''7"71C'''n\V4-44C-ft can be used where privacy is background for a perennial . ' ' When' eutting gladiolus '• desired. Clematis can well be border is often desirable. flowers, remove as few leaves as used for this purpose and glyes Celastrus is a goodi example. 'possible or the new cornus will the added advantage of a very . .---- --14tractive.floral. display, 4'," , "" . ,A,L, :di, ,---,---7.--„, ..,i, ' 4,...'.... ...,4,---10-smalleii—vvarn ,borticpltutlsts, .,, ' .allubsign Nvo6u'Y t;1111.11na'a ''''''With the Ontario Department -of ' - ' Where shade IS desired, Snell:, . have many uses they should not Agriculture and Food. The best as on garden Welters or on be used indiscriminately. With method is to insert the tip of a ' . verandas, a climber that allows wise selection and,use they can, sharp knife into the stem of- the good air circulation and is neat however, add ..greatly to the spike. Bend the stein sharply In .. .appearance should. , bebeauty of a well cared toward the knife and twist to Wetted. Climbers that have a garden. . . , break it ° production inr '.ead of seed flower colors are not flamboyant but pleasantly suhdued.- The bright green foliage of the Solomon's seal is showy in early spring and its texture and form are of such exquisite variety. that it stands out from all other plants. ,Of course, the best place to go to find plants that will grow well in the shade is to the nearby native woodlands — not to get the plants, but to observe those - you would like to have to ' enhance your shady garden. There are a few nurseries that deal in native' plants, and a few areas locally which are slated for building lots. If you can discover these„ your search for plant material for groundcovers in your shady garden is at an end: Two good additional ground covets for shade are the • Shademuitimaulliarmionaoffimennuaiiummoummai,:i • periwinkle (Vinea minor) and the Japanese spurge (Pachysandra •terminalia). Both these plants will replape grass under trees and on shady slopes; use them in abundance. The periwinkle or myrtle will propagate so easily from runners that you need only purchase a few plants to produce eventually a few hundred. The two 'best bulbs for' planting now for permanence are the Siberia R and daffodils.' Plant • these in the shade of an 'apple tree or a large. shrub for a cOlorful• display every spring. • • ." • • • 00i)Fo100il SidNAL-STAR, Tumpnit Atiovet 13,1 70 3 • • Huron Trail Riders GYN KHANA RODI 'SUNDAY AUGUST 16 „. IOOPM' • DUNGAN• NON FAIR GROUNDS children Under 12 Free* ." Door Prize Booth on Groundsr • " Before you spend. over $4500 on a car ,;51% ... • Z • Omni, 11600 • • • 1 • Datsun 1600 isn't long like a big car, but it's big inside -where it counts. It doesn't have all sorts of optional extras., because everything on it but a 3 -speed automatic- transmission and a radio is standard equipment. 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