The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-04-23, Page 461
.Adsome
colour to
your home
Lush green houseplants are a delight to
the eye, but sometimes they can become
monotonous. One way to add a touch of color
to the "all -green scene" is with variegated
plants. Their leaves can be just as vibrant
and colorful as flowering plants.
Variegated plants such as the silver table
fern (species Pteris) apd the multicolored
croton are particularly decorative during
• fall. and winter, -`when many . flowering
houseplants are dormant. �Itlla: �rla) tail/'Pl)h
These and other colorful bushes, trees and
vines are also easier to grow and maintain Variegated Swedish ivy is neither Swedish
than their flowering counterparts. They nor ivy. It originated in Australia and is
need less light and will tolerate lower room another member of the mint family. ,Its
temperatures. light -green leaves are streaked with cream.
Consider rhe t -g eeipe plant (Cal areae vein -a n- This plant is excellent for hanging baskets.
ed ed with
p bright -green oval s. For dd Most people are familiar with the dark-
terest,tpink and rsidestaipes.Foer added re green, broad -leafed dieffenbacbia,
the undersides of the leaves are sometimes call "dumb cane." The leaves of
maroon or burgundy. some species are veined and mottled with
It is an elegant focal point in a display of Phis
dark -green philodendrons and scheffleras. One variety, "Rudolph Rcehrs," has pale
The surrounding foliage helps create the gold -green leaves with white splotches and
I.aa . humidity it needs. The plant seldom
grows more than 18 inches tall. dark -green edgesand ribs. DieffenbachiaS
nt of -low
ht.
Croton is another eye catcher whgn tuck- are
variegated plants are all relatively
edin among a mass of greenery. Its roblemfree. Cool room temperatures (65
leathery leaves are dappled with splotches degrees70 degree F.) will help bring out
of yellow, copper, pink, red, orange, brown the best of variegated colorations.
or ivory. In anno two leaves are alike on It's important to fertilize variegated
the same plant.t. lants cautiously; too much" feeding can
Crotons grow fast, often as much as 12 in -
cause the color -splashed leaves to turn com-
ches a year. Top leaves should be pruned to pletely green.
keep the plant a manageable size. To promote steady leaf growth without
Colorful plants for table tops and
sacrificing colour, fertilize once every two.
bookshelves include the pilea "Siver Tree"
and the coleus, a member Of the mint months with a mild, nitrogen -based nutrient
such as Knox,Unflavored Gelatine. Univer-
sity sit research has concluded that unflavored
"Silver Tree" has lightly-quiltedandof
leaves gelatine, commonly used in recipes, helps
marked with a central band of silver, and variegated plants become fuller.
bronze -green edges. Coleus varieties pre-
sent an amazing range of color combine- To apply, dissolve an envelope of gelatine
with one cup of hot tap water in a pitcher or
tions and leaf shapes, including some with large mixing bowl. Add three cups of cold
ruffled edges. Top leaves should be pinched water to make a quart. Water the plants
off frequently to encourage dense growth. every two months with this mixture.
The dwarf silver table fern (Pteris "Vic- Decorating with variegated plants is a lit-
toriae") is another choice candidate for Ale like decorating with fabrics. Too many
table -top display. Each slender frond has a patterns clash. But a few multi -colored
silver stripe running down the center. It plants interspersed with all -green varieties
thrives in low light. can achieve a harmonious balance.
PAGE 15
WE'LL BE AT
THE GODERICH
HOME a GARDEN SHOW
rn� oveelkerrd - at the V Arena
April 23.,16.7/
*REE mendous A
*JOHN GIBSONI
R.R. No. 2 SEAFORTf4 482-3221
"THE TREE M®VER'•
Spring is the time to get
backyard equipment in shape
With springtime just around the corner,
now is the time to get backyard equipment
in shape. After the long winter, it would be
wise to see how well lawn and patio furniture
weathered the storm and to make any
necessary repairs
One of the best ways to repair furniture
made from wood or metal is .with epoxy.
However, up until now, most epoxies have
been difficult to work with and messy to use.
New from the Devcon Corporation this
season is an epoxy in putty form that makes
backyard furniture repairs a snap.
• Easy to use
UP -Reel, a fast -curing. epoxy putty on a
handy pocket sized spool, features Devcon's
5 -Minute Epoxy Putty in a new easy-to-use
form. Simply tear or cut the needed amount
Your local wholesaler and retailer
Where we offer Grower to you!
QUALITY k SERVICE
k SELECTION
Our greenhouses are full with...
-hundreds of beautiful hanging baskets
-over 15 AIM geraniums to choose from
-potted containers
-perennials - JDvarieties
-lots of colourful bedding plants
-large selection of nursery stock and potted roses
-dig your own cedars
from the spool, blend together between
fingertips and apply to a clean dry surfaee-
Both resin and hardener are layered
together on the spool to make application
easy, quick and clean.
Devcon 5 -Minute Epoxy Putty is extreme-
ly effective for filling gaps, plugging holes
and making durable repairs to lawn fur-
niture made from wood, metal and other
materials. The fast -bonding putty sets in
five minutes and reaches full strength in two
hours. Cured material can then be drilled,
tapped, sanded or painted.
The lightweight, compact Un -Reel spool
can easily fit into a shirt pocket or tool bob to
be readily on hand for other quick, emergen-
cy repairs. Devcon's Un -Reel is available at
most hardware and home center stores.
...of plants to make up
your own containers
OR
let us do it for you!
Hours:
mon. Fri. 9-$
Sat. & Sun. a -lb
iimage
01
Gerdes* Sappries
•
•
COME OUT AND
SEE US AT THE
HOME & GARDEN SHOW
YOUR HOSTS
TED 8 EMMA VANDERWOUDEN
R.R. No. 1 hayfield Phone 482-3020
HURON GOUNTY RD. B
TE -EM
FARM
•
N
'Hundreds
of
Hanging Baskets
to choose from
S
foo
WITH THIS AD
(Valid until the end of May)
ohne 482-3020
ITU
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vs
0'
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•
Thousands
of ,
4
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Geraniums
in stock
Bay
GET 1 FRU
(ono per arstomerper ad)
Clip this ad and save
VALID UNTIL 1HE END Of MAY
Done 482-302!,
v