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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1970-08-20, Page 19A :�,t• �F di:i4 ordeir iiptes f. A highly desired tree for today's world would be • a weeping willow which would • quickly grow 25 or 30 fees. high and remain at that height without an abnormally rarrXbling root system, -' _ "Of course, we have no such willow, buts let us consider this week hose that do not reach gigantic propok"tions and yet have Borne° of the . delightful characteristics of the belovl'sd willow: One of the most interesting treesfor the modern home would be the umbrella willow (-{Salix matsudana `Umbraculifera''). •It is not very well known. although the specimen in the Plant Research. Institute Arboretum was planted in 1915. It has narrow leaves and the tips of its branchlets are Pendulous, yet the shape of the tree is unlike the shape one usually associates with a willow. It fo,ms a typical Japanese -type tree with a broad umbrella shaped head. The Pekin willow (Salix matsudana) is admirably suited to small homes for it grows no larger -than 20 to 30 feet and has an upright habit with very slender branchlets. Its leaves, quite silky at first and later without hairs, have silvery undersides which are revealed by the slightest breeze. Another' variety of the Pekin willow is the Turkish' willow (Salix matsudana `Tortuosa') with slender young •,..branchlets that are twisted and contorted . in tlieua-Das wcuria z fashion. •; ,.�.. w.:w,�,„ :,,��f.• 4 A species of . willow of restricted proportions is the Violet willow (Salix daphnoides) which, in:L-fithis...:area, . has unly.w._ .grown 35 to 40 feet high since 1896 when it was planted. It forms a very shapely upright tree , with branches that grow almost at right angles to the main trunk, from which arise, slender: greenish grey branchlets, covered with 'broad deep green leaves with silvery undersides. The bark of this willow is quite smooth, a character which appears to distinguish it from most of the others. At the CNf o - ome smaller willows- t C • As 1 write these notes Tam o am sitting. opposite( a, beautifully ''symmetrical tree 35 feet high ..1 With large bright glistening dark green leaves. This, • thebay or laurel willow (Salix pentandra) would look fitting and proper in any location. Its leaves are five inches long and two and one-half inches broad, making them, I wouldimagine, as useful as the bay or laurel,in floral 'decoration. Its • deely fissured dark " grey bark is also • quite attractive in" winter. Although other ,willows nearby are infested with . aphids and ,beetles this does not show ' evidence of" the mildest"attack. The shining 'willow • (Salix lucida) is almost identical to the above except that its leaves .are slightly narrower and have long drawn out points and less prominent veins. Both are quite hardy •at Ottawa but this one grows as far north • as the ,Northwest Territories and would probably survive in much colder areas. Everybody in the country, loves to bring in catkins in.arly spring and force , them into growth for floral effect, but few will grow willows for this purpose alone. Although, if , a careful selection is made of the right kinds, Tine can have nice looking shrubs for screening and reap the benefit of early catkins. The best and largest catkins are, unfortunately, riot obtainable from the large weeping willows . , or the trees mentioned to this oi::fihettera seek e - •best ` sspecies "that ptnadure.. ornamental catkins and plant these - such as the goat willow (Salix caprea) and a hybrid, the Erdinger willow. (Sx X erdingeri), Both of these have shrub -like growth and make nice bushy screening plants for the back of the property. They will grow"as well in sand as in heavier soils if lots of compost or humus is added. Erdinger willow (Salix X erdingeri), although not common, would I. am sure, have commercial possibilities were it better known. Its catkins are. much larger than those of the goat willow and have a purplish tinge, a color which„ is later carried over to the young shoots, giving them added distinction. This beautiful willow is a hybrid between the violet willow. and the - goat willow, but does not grow into,a tree as the former, but inakes a shapely spreading large shrub. '• One willow • that is., outstanding as a shrub in gardens Where neat shapely _..foliage shrubs are desired is 'the ,purple willow (Salix purp.urea),, which is probably better knowp for its value as a dwarf hedge. Grown as a specirrren shrub and kept loosely trimmed, ' it will provide a color and elegance not usually found in ordinary plants. The variety `Gracilis' has narrower leaves and more slender branchlets and because of these characteristics is mote desirable, Fortunately, it ,. is easily obtainable at most nurseries. Bock's willow (Salix bockii) is one that appears to be most. interesting of the . shrub willows for it produces its catkins in late summer from the axils of its leaves, and grows three to six feet high with a very neat habit. Some willows are grown solely for the effect they give in winter by their ornamental bark. The redstem willow (S. alba `Chermesina') is one of the best for it has reddish bark; the yellow stem willow (Salix ' alba `Vitellina') ,.has bark of bright golden yellow, and the violet willow haS -purple bark. Willows a • 013!' � fit? t ` •:effe 1<,�1 +e: .�.gr IL, � b c x_.ttsi3 !� =•-cut-back severely "to The trunk i early spring so that new growth is encouraged for the following winter. Hedges' of these willows may be seen-- in- the Ottawa Hedge' Collection 'and are quite ornamental in winter but rather coarse in summer: • Fax the rock garden and fors ground • covers, a few 'willows are outstanding. These are usually dwarf kinds that do not grow• more than a foot or so high. Best of these are the creeping willow (Salix . repens) which needs a very poor soil to keep in. cheEk. The alpine .willow (S. caesia), a Flower. exhibits return It's back to the vast banks of massed dowers ' at the Horticultural Building ofthe Canadian National. *Exhibition this year. Percy Bone, a director of the C.N,E. and chairman for the "Hort Building," says, "This year we're giving the flowerlovers what they want. A Niagara Falls of. flowers. ' A rainbow' bomb -burst of colour. Eight gardens for amateurs, all as different and imaginative as a bus tour in fairyland." Mr. Bone took the unlit cigar from his mouth. "Man, that's real hyperbole," said the reporter, gazing at his notes: • "No, sir," said Mr, » Bone, a lifelong • florist and enthusiast. "This year it's us flower -lovers doing • our own thing. Listen, that's only the beginning. "There's the Gladiolus Show' which, after all these years, has finally come to' the Hort Building. They'll be exhibiting Thursday to Saturday,. August 20 to 22,, And Chinguacousy` Powdery mildew, commonjii garden Powdery mildew is a common disease of many garden plants. It ietr>tacts from the appearance of the plant and seriously affects the life of a garden. Some of the plants affected • are: ,perennial phlox; zinnia, dahlia, delphinium goldenglow,- tuberous ebegonia, rose, lilac, squash, cucumber, gooseberry, lawn grasses, etc. Powdery mildew, says Professor C.B. Kelly, Department of Botany, • University of Guelph, first appears as a sparse white growth on the •upper surface of the leaves, buds, and floWering parts of the plant. Affected leaves may wither and drop, flower buds may fail to open, and the plants in general will not be able .to, bloom properly. Growth of powdery mildew is assisted by humid air and shaded areas,; 'o help reduce the growth of the fungus, Professor. Kelly suggests mildewed leaves and tops be removed before winter. For gardens where mildew is already a -i*oblem, spraying or dusting are the best methods, Wettable sulfur and sulfur dust have proven to be effective.. against the fungus. These substances ;.are relatively harmless to humans but they can make the eyes smart- if they come into direct contact' with • the eye. Other mixtures such as cycloheximide, dinocap fungicide, folpet fungicide, and lime liquid sulfur may also be used but great care t be e taken' and tiinstruc is „on R `•av1b 7,r ie .aGu.L?j�7 ..... As soon as rntitlew4iat been discovered* in the garden, . .f,yi. �'� 4usting,,hott�d , b, "five to ten days until the disease fia under control. Light applicationsare best, as heavy spraying or1dusting tends to harm the plants. n. Professor Kelly warns that on food crops, directions: regarding the use of fungicides should be ,followed carefully and the chemicals handled . with great caution. Township from Peel County is _putting on a historical outdoor exhibit worth a fortune, with real 'Indians, pine trees and what all. Etobicoke and the City bf Toronto are in with huge overwhelming shows. Gardeners will counsel the public for free at the Garden Clinic. Some nurserymen are coming in with the biggest rose display this side of Eden." The reporter respectfully lit Mr. Bone's cigar. "Thanks," said Mr. Bone. "A good cigar is the only kind of plant life I like to see' afire". Jim's service' is a specialty,.. He takes great care in doing tiring right and taking good care, • VOURp 4a.r. He likes you top make appointments, . but can fix small items almost immediately, Give him:, a call a524. -73f4, u, t DEPENDABLE USED CARS Smaller. willows. in the garden dwarf slivery ground cover; the early in the season before dwarf gray willow, (Salix txisti•s) growth , commences; Although with gray foliage, useful for they are usually associated with growing on dry banks; the water, they do not necessarily bearberry • , willow (Salix ex need their roots• near the waters uva-urse), a very low prostrate edge most weeping willows are shrub; anal two creeping willows place in such locations so that with • tiny foliage — the dwarf " the reflections give a double willow (Salix herbacea) and the mirrored image of their intrinsic whortleberry willow (Salix beauty. Large willows should be myrtilloides). The ',cultivation of willow's is quite simple if one can provide a rich moist soil and transplant IIIIIIIIIIINIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII111"1111 SOAK LAWNS ""Light sprinkling of a lawn encourages shallow root growth °' and increases the probability of injury during hot, dry 'weather, warn horticulturists with the Ontario Department of Agriculture and Food. Always apply 1 to 11/2 inches of water at a time to ensure thorough soaking of the soil. A pan placed in ' the area .cpvered by the sprinkler will allow a much closer estimate' of the amount of water applied. • GEBEL CABINETS LIMITED No. 4 Highway 5 Miles South of Exeter M Manufacturers -of All Types of CABINETS Custom -Built to Your Specifications placed far enough apart so that each tree stands alone and its symmetry can be admired from - all angles.. e c afore foo long Iris plants do best• when planted during July and August after they. have passed their flowering peak, say horticulturists- with the Ontario Department of _Agriculture and Food. Plants that have been growing well forseveral' • years will have roots that ' are overcrowded and should be lifted. The soil should be washed away to expose the rhizomes, and division should be made with a sharp knife. 4. • The younger; outer portion of the roots should be divided for replanting, while the older outer part should be discarded. Pieces of rhizomes with two or three ' fans' "of leaves attached make the best divisions. The rhizomes should then be placed in a shallow hole with ;a small ridge -in the bottom. The roots are wad out over the ridge and soil is .placed over them to cover the rhizomes to a depth of one inch. , Divisions which are planted about one foot apart will increase rapidly and will soon provide a massive, show. When three to five-. clumps are planted together they will provide a much better effect than a single ' one standing alone. •' Wilf and his men do body work On trucks, boats, cars, snowmobiles, etc.; find rattles; wind noises, water leaks, replace auto glass, also align front ends and balance tires. Give , Wilf a call at 524-8591. :W. ,. .o..�•i -c; nP�k"kSD!`"�.nu^'�';N-a.; vr,..7 trsr»�s. ncsmr.•Y.�p•. ,� •ih Remember — A Mills Deal Is A Good Deal Ica tf fz. reg• r UGUST 13 TO AUGUST 29 SUMMER CLOTHING includes - hats, jackets, and shirts WORK BOQTS . 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