The Rural Voice, 1998-06, Page 51Gardening
If you have the time, fruit trees
trained on a trellis in espalier style
are impressive.
Trellises, arbours and pergolas
offer a vertical balance to the
horizontal lines in your garden
design. They can soften architectural
features. Your local library offers a
number of books on building your
trellis garden and you should research
it. My first attempt at an arbour ended
up on the ground the following spring
because I failed to dig the holes deep
enough for the upright posts.
Now the big question is what to
grow? Most climbing vines will
easily attach themselves with twining
stems on wire fence or thin strips of
wood. It takes a bit of training to get
them to grow on a pergola which has
wider supports. If you want
something fast then take a look at
some of the annual vines. Sweet peas
(Lathyrus odorata) will grow up to
eight feet and have intensely fragrant
blossoms of scarlet to white and pink
to purple. They need rich soil that
retains moisture. It is not too late to
plant them now.
There are some wonderful colours
in Morning Glories (Ipomoea
purpurea). They grow in almost any
soil in full sun or partial shade. They
do have a hard seed coat so you
should soak seeds overnight or nick
the coat with a file before sowing. A
close companion to the Morning
Glory is the Moon vine (Opomoea
alba). It has crystal white blossoms
which open at dusk giving off an
evening perfume. They do not have
the same rampant growth as Morning
Glories but are still fun to try.
One more annual vine to consider:
Cup -and -Saucer vine (Cobaea
scandens). It has unusual reddish -
purple cup -shaped flowers nestled in
light green saucers. Again, average
soil in full sun. These vines can
stretch to 20 feet in one season.
I have tried climbing nasturtiums
but found that they showed their
spurred blossoms off better if planted
in a hanging basket since I couldn't
make them climb.
Don't forget one of the old
standards like Scarlet Runner beans
(Phaseolus coccincus). They have
very flashy red flowers producing red
and black speckled seeds. A vine that
is both striking and productive. Since
they arc a tender plant sow them in
warmed ground after all danger of
frost is past.
Next month I hope to have solved
the problem of algae bloom in our
pond so I can tell you about
maintaining a garden pond.0
Rhea llamilton-Seeger and her
husband raise two children at their
home near Auburn. She is a .skilled
cook and gardener.
Deadline for the
JULY ISSUE
of
The Rural Voice
is
JUNE 17
TE -EM FARM
Perennial display garden a must to see.
Visit the new greenhouses with a large
selection of flowers, perennials and nursery
stock to beautify your surroundings.
Windbreak Trees
Available
Strawberries Soon!
Mon. - Fri. - 9-8
Sat. - Sun. - 9-6
R.R. 1, Bayfield, Ont.
519-482-3020
Gotlench
T.4.o1..,. as
TEEM
GERM
■
Nu,en Courtly.
ITCHIN' FOR NEW CLOTHES?
You'll find relief at The Workshop. Choose
from work and casual clothing at affordable
prices. Select from a wide selection with your
style, your fit and price in mind. You will find
work pants and shirts, coveralls, western
shirts, shorts, rainwear, T-shirts, briefs plus
many more items to sult your taste.
Sizes range from small to 5XL
Workshop
FEATURING NMI WORKWEAR
180 Josephine St., Wingham 357-4503
MAITLAND MANOR NURSERY
& LANDSCAPING
"Make Something
Beautiful Happen"
Come to 'THE GARDEN IDEA PLACE'
and stroll through our beautiful
display gardens.
Let Maitland Manor Nursery make
your garden dreams come true.
Hwy. 86 East of Bluevale
519-335-3240
WE WANT YOUR GRAIN!
Elevator - Seaforth
519-527-1241
• Corn • Soys • Oats
• Western Grains
london agricultural commodities, inc.
CASH & FORWARD CONTRACTS
Call us today for Quotes
Dave Gordon
Elizabeth Armstrong
Richard Smibert
Ian Carter
1900 HYDE PARK ROAD
HYDE PARK, ONTARIO, N6H 5L9
519-473-9333
Toll -Free 1-800-265-1885
JUNE 1998 47