HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-04-16, Page 35to
Fiowering plant6 add to
the look of your garden
Make your garden the envy of the
neighborhood by adding some out -of -the -
ordinary flowering plants.
"Ip many cases, these rather obscure
plants are simply unknown to the average
gardener, who is unwilling to risk disaster
by choosing unfamiliar plants," says Hor-
ticulturist Bob Hamersma of the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food's Hor-
ticultural Research Institute of Ontario,
Vineland.
At the same time, those gardeners who do
seek the unusual, may be unable to find
them in garden outlets because the demand
simply is not there.
"Gleaning them from accommodating
friends or growing them from seed or from
cuttings (or divisions in the case of her-
baceous perennials) may be the only alter-
natives available", Hamersma says.
But whatever the sources, the following
unconventional flowering pants should give
this year's garden an "uncommon" ap
Pasque-flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) is a
hardy perennial which displays, showy rich
violet cup -shaped flowers in early April and
May.
It displays furry fern -like foliage and is
easily grown from seed.
Heartleaf 13ergenia or (Bergerda cor-
difolia) is also very hardy and grows Well in
semi -shaded locations.
It blooms early in spring with a showy
head of waxy, bell -like blooms on a stout
flower stalk. Since its leaves are semi -
evergreen, the plant is a showpiece year-
round.
Other interesting (and unusual) peren-
nials include purple coneflower (Echinacea
purpurea) with showy purplish
i0 ntimetre daisy -like blooms in August;
and -cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), a
native plant that exhibits extremely bright
scarlet florets along tall slender stems in
mid -stunner.
But please note that cardinal flower. does
require moist soil, Hamersma says.
Unusual annual flowering plants can be
used very effectively in the garden as well.
Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotun-
difolia) for example, can grow to a height of
1.5 metres, making it suitable for the back of
a border.
It brightens its surroundings with showy
orange -scarlet blooms starting in mid-July.
A shorter, but no less showy' plant is
mealycup sage (or Salvia farinacea). It pro-
vides a summer -long display of violet -blue
spikes and grows to 50 cm in height.
As a compact plant for the front of a
border, the globe amaranth (or Gomphrena
globose "Buddy") with its uniform ball
shape and rich, purple blooms is ideal.
The globe amaranth is also suitable for
dried -flower arrangements.
Creeping zinnia (or Sanvitalia pro-
cumbens) makes, a fine hanging basket or
window box plant.
The vines hang over the edge and are
covered with small golden orange zinnia -
like blooms with black centres.
Creeping zinnia also tolerates dry, hot
conditions.
If you wish to create an informal effect in
the garden, try California poppies
(Eschscholzia californica).. These are
available in a wide range of pastel colors
which together with its bluish foliage create
a soft color effect.
These plants also "self -seed" readily so
PAGE, 9
ARTFUL GARDEN — A containerized garden can be as
tasteful to the eye as it is to the palate. Master Gardener Joan
Pierson of London, Ont., grows beans, brussels sprouts, broc-
coli, basil, mint, chives, garlic, strawberries and more — all in
containers in her backyard. The secret is good soil, good
drainage, and choosingvarieties that don't take up too much
space.
you may have more than one year to enjoy
them.
Many lesser-known annuals have relative-
ly short -blooming periods, lasting from
three to six weeks, depending on the
cultivar.
So, take this into consideration when plan-
ning the garden and choose appropriate
flowering plants to fill, up the remaining
time.
FISHER GLASS&MIRROR
34 VICTORIA ST. N., Phone 524-7312 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
Monarch
Mirror Door Canada, Inc.
For
lighter,
brighter,
bigger rooms
and a dramatic
decorating
statement at
low cost.
Big decorating
effect/small budget
Monarch wardrobe mirror doors
are one of the most dramatic
things you can do for a ropm.
They push back walls, open up
space and add the grand sense of
luxury that quality mirrors
have always added_
Look for the
shield.
OPEN YOUR HOME
TO THE SUN AND SKY
Local
Distributors
For
REPLA
See our
display at the
Goderich
Home & Garden
Show
April 25, 26 & 27
FORM AND.
FUNCTION OF
UNCOMPROMISING
QUALITY