NOW THAT the drab days of autumn are finally with us, it’s nice to know there are a few plants that can provide us with some final flings of blooming color. Some examples of fall to winter bloomers that deserve some special attention are prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’, the fall-flowering cherry, anemone japonica, a lovely thing in many hybrid forms, viburnum bodnatense, which 1 described last winter, and camellia sasanqua, the fall flowering camellia. Everyone is familiar with the camellia japonica of spring fame, but not too many have had the pleasure of seeing these fall bloomers. In many ways, these are superior to their spring cousins. They tend to be somewhat har- dier and the floral display, though perhaps less prolific, is more dependable in that the buds are not normally blasted by severe winter weather. FROST DAMAGE They. can, on occasion, be dam- aged by early frosts and/or heavy rains; but this usually applies only to the buds that have broken open. Because of the long blcoming Is period, it is not unusual to see adverse weather suspend the flower production, only to have it begin again and go until Christmas. Those of you who prefer smaller, easier to manage plants will be pleased, as will those those of you who are looking for good subjects to espalier (train through pruning) against a fence or wall. They are available in colors that range from a deep, rose red, through pink to white. Flowers are mostly of the single, anemone form, although there are some lovely doubles to be had. Plant habit varies from compact uprights to loose, spreading, almost vine-like varieties. PLANT VARIETY Some good choices would be: ¢ C.5. ‘Apple Blossom’ - single, white flowers blushed with pink on alow, spreading plaut. *C.S. ‘Bonanza’- a low, spreading plant with semi-double, peony-like flowers in deep, rosy red. ©C.S. ‘Cleopatra’ - a semi- double with rose pink flowers. Its neat, compact, upright form makes it excellent as a low hedge. °©C.S. ‘Hana Jiman’ - large, semi-double, white flowers are edged in pink and appear on a loose, open plant; good as an espalier. © C.S. ‘Mine-No-Yuki’ - pecny form flowers are white, very large, and lightly fragrant; open growth adapts weli to espalier. © C.S. ‘Setsugekka’ - probably the finest of the whites, semi- double flowers have fluted petals and appear on a bushy, upright plant. As with the camellia japonica, the sasangua prefers a slightly acid’ soil with good drainage. They are drought tolerant but will perform interior textiles Itd. NOW OPEN! * Delectable Chintz * Tasteful Interior Design * High Quality Creative Sewing * Neat Staff . * CHINTZY Prices You'll Love Us! 1180 Marine Drive North Vancouver 985-8011 21 - Friday, November 13, 1987 - North Shore News best if the soil is kept moist. They will survive in a wide variety of light conditions, from full sun to fairly deep shade. Nei- ther of these extremes will provide us with the quality of plant that can be had if it is grown in lightly over the garden gate by Geoff Tobiasson filtered shade. An open, exposed site can in- crease the risk of bud drop due to excessive drought or dessication from dry winter winds, while too much shade will reduce the flower production. Healthy, well-situated plants are generally pest-free, but those that are weakened by too much ex- posure to shade run the risk of az- tack. Keep an eye cut for the ap- pearance of a black, soot-like substance on the leaves; this is aheer Hagen, je, velvety | > aatio aed open weavea.i:% Exnerienced design consultants available. Call for appointmen: " Serving the North Shore Since 1968 known as Black Soot Mold. Although the mold can be con- trolled with an application of soapy water, it should only be considered as a treatment for the symptoms; the real problems are sap-sucking insects. WEAKENED PLANTS Weakened plants are susceptible to attack by scale (most common) and/or aphid (less common) in- sects. These wili suck the sap of the shrub and secrete a sticky resi- due, called ‘honeydew’. The mold will then grow on this ‘honeydew’ without harming the plant, unless it is allowed to reach a@ concentration that would in- terfere with photosynthesis. If you have the mold you had best treat the plant for insects in late May or early June. Repeated applications of Safer’s Soap should reduce the problem while the addition of diazinon at % the recommended label rate could eliminate it. : The best solution is to plant these and other broad-leaved evergreens where they will thrive and thereby fight their own battles. In any event, the risks are minimal and the rewards great, so give these splendid plants a try. Roman Shades woven woods, 1” venetian, vertical, and Roller Blinds sby & ABBEY « JACKSON HUNTER-DOUGLAS Secor, = lon-Fri. 9:00-5:30 Sat. 10:00-5:00 3050 Mountain Highway North Vancouver 988-1220 |