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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-04-23, Page 35i PAGE 4 Landscaping adda-i Put a bright face on your home with at- tractive landscaping. "Landscaping adds value to your proper- ty and makes it more comfortable, useful and relaxing," says Horticulturist Ruth Friendship of the Ontario Munistry of Agriculture and Food's rural organizations and services branch. But before you begin to landscape your property, it is important tv make a plan. Decide where you would like to add a touch of color to your landscape with annual and perennial flowers - Remember to take advantage of existing features such as trees, shrubs, fences, walls or hedges. Also remember to allow space for easy maintenance of these features. Consider the site's limitations. Is it hot, dry and exposed or is it cool, damp and shaded? Is the soil fertile and well -drained? Does the space require tall, bushy flowering plants or those that are low and wide -spreading? Catalogues, garden centres, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's Publica- tion 358 "Herbaceous Perennials" and Fact- sheet actsheet No. 79.005. "Annuals for the Home Garden" are useful sources of information concerning the growth habits and needs of many flowering plants_ Shrubs are value of your property It's important to make a plan "1 a ill .L1116♦"V w. small lots Slow-growing shrubs nice for small lots Remember the large mock -orange and forsythia grandmother used to plant. Link homes and back splits have changed that. Today many city lots are much too small for such large Shrubs to be used effectively, says borticulurist Glen -Lewis of the Univer- sity of Guelph's horticultural science department. Small shrubs often grow more slowly than large ones. This is an asset since slower - growing shrubs don't overgrow their intend- ed space so quickly. Don't be fooled by a plant's size when you buy it. That small potted shrub may soon become too large for the space you allotted. When ° planning your landscape, use shrubs to provide balance, continuity, tex- tural contrast and flower color display. Shrubs, like trees, can provideinterest throughout the year. It's a good idea to discuss your plans with your local garden centre. They will be able to recommend additional or alternative shrubs to fit your needs. Also inquire about the hardiness of the plant you intend to use. The following list includes a selection of shrubs divided into two size categories: Shrubs one to two metres tall: Abelialeaf ; Alpine Current; Boxwood I evergreen) ; Chokeberry; Cinquefoil; Deutzia: Euonymous 1 evergreen)); Flowering - Quince; Fragrant Sumac; Holly ( evergreen and deciduous); Jetbead; Kenria, Leather - wood; Leucothoe (evergreen); Oregon Grape (evergreen); Pieris (evergreen); Purple Sand Cherry; Rhododendron (dwarf types)( "evergreen or deciduous); Rose; Spirea (burnalda types); Weigela: White Cedar (globe types)( evergreen). Shrubs less than one metre . tall: Bearberry ( evergreen) ; Cotoneaster a low types Ievergreen or deciduous); Daphne evergreen); Heath and Heather evergreen ,•- Heneystiekle: Juniper (low types) aevergreen ): Periwinkle : evergreen): St. Johns Wort. Heat -tolerant plants such as zinnia, petunia, verbena, marigold, portulaca, cleome and ceiosia should be planted in hot, dry, open areas; on the other hand, balsam, impatiens, coleus and all types of begonias thrive in shady locations. Try putting all ideas on paper. It is helpful to use a scale drawing for your plan. Don't plan more than you can handle. Consider height, spread, form, texture and the color of both the foliage and the flowers. "Think about how the display will be view- ed and arrange the bed so that the low - growing plants will be in the foreground and the tallest plants will be in the background," she says. Flowers — with some careful planning — can be used to provide color to your land- scape all through the season. Keep this in mind when selecting and placing them on your plan. Try to achieve a sequence of flowering from early spring to late fall throughout the garden. Less -prominent or less -showy flowers should be planted in groupings to give a more effective show. You may also mix flowers and vegetables M the same garden, if you wish. But again, it is important to make a plan. Aim for color to contrast attractively with the vegetables through the growing season. Investigate what conditions the vegetables and flowers require and take that into account in your plan. Consider the height and spread of the plants and make sure there is enough room for the vegetables to mature and give a good yield. Ground covers of alyssum or thyme can help control weeds between vegetables. Grape vines can be a productive method of covering a wall or fence. Clinton Glass is pleased to announce we are now dealersfor top quality Windows and Doors by CASEMENT Casement windows can be custom- made to your exact specifications. 1 BAY WINDOWS AWNING Awning Windows can be custom - mode to your exact specifications E LDMAN N . 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