30 - Sunday, March 14, 1999 - North Shore News Roy nSson sow it grows ON St. Patrick’s Day everyone likes to claim they have a little Irish blood in them. When one considers how many Irish emigrants were driven out of the country during the 18th and 19th centuries, it is not surprising how widespread Irish folklore and settlement is today. The colour green has long been associated with Ireland. If you have ever visited the country, you will know the fields have a grceness to them that few other coun- tries can match. The national emblem is the green shamrock leaf and most folk costumes display some green, The symbol of the sham- rack goes back to the 6th céntury and the days of the Irish patron saint — St. Patrick. One version of the story, and there are many, suggests St. Patrick was taken to Ireland as a slave from his home ia Scotland. The religious Druids on the island dragged St. Patrick before King Loaghaire where Patrick related the story of the Christian trinity. As a sign for the king he bent AN north shore news ay FJOME & ARDEN NEWS phoio Terry Peters JUST for St. Paddy’s Day, advice on growing shamrocks — and a blessing: “May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.” Erin Go Braugh! down and picked a shamrock to demonstrate the three leaves in one. The king agreed to adopt the Christian faith and the shamrock became the basis for the Ceitic cross and the emblem of Ireland. Nor all Irish people agree on the folklore story about Sc. Patrick and they certainly do not agree on what a true shamrock plant is. In all, there are some 300 species of trifolium, so there are many plants to choose from. Depending on the season and the locale, there are } tnctudes: Labor & installation of Tune-up § Parts. tnspect air & fuet filter, Inspect « distributor rotor & cap, adjust timing, { change oil & filter. Inspect rear and front i brakes. Inspect steering and suspension. | Lubricate lacks & hinges. Check and adjust § tire pressures. Top up ali fiuid levels, Test 1 engine coolant. 37 pt. inspection. Test 2p oS A a ea a ap a a Pw hw ae ane mw L battery. PARTS EXTRA,” “COOLING: is sevvice includes: *Drain cooling system *Repiace cuolantantifreaze Inspect radiator cap and hoses “Check thermostatemperatute gauge reading “Check radiator and AC condenser “Pressure-test system *Check water pump for noise, loose pulley and three plants that are promot- ed as the true shamrock. The common white clover, Trifolinin repens or T. dubium, is most often plant- ed by growers to produce plants tor Sr. Patrick’s Day. Black Medic or Hop Clover, Medicago Inputina, is also used occasionally as a sham- rock. Instead of a white flower Black Medic has a yel- low flower. A third and more com- mon plant that many Irish claim to be the true sham- rock is the common wood or sheep sorel, Oxaiis acetosellia. $ 8 a a limited time Offer Lew were cull -EM’SERVICE - 48 & condition of belt ‘Test coolant pretection level SA i E PRICE! Prices are plus taxes & aoplicab's environmestal levies. Avoid expensive engine § tepatrs. Timing belts | must be replaced 96,000 1 km or every 5 years. H Pants & LABOUR Offer valics until March 31. 1989. Not valid with eny other offer, pramotion or discount. 125 Marine Ui. Nort: Wau. ~ ‘| 987-4618 SERVIGE DIRECT teahets: urine. pacttic tors. coc PACIFIC WItne: Ys Buitr Withour Compromise. 2 Unlike white clover, the oxalis plant has leaf stems that are 10-20 cm long and leaves that are two or three times larger. They have the unique habit of folding up at night and re-opening in the morning. “The juice from the leaves contains oxalic acid and tastes similar to rhubarb. One purple leaf variety would be hard to pass off as a true shamrock. Oxalis acetasella makes an excellent house plant and is often sold by florists as Oxalis montana or a sham- rock, Most of the 800 species of oxalis are found in the Andes Mountains and South Africa: bloom colour ranges through white, yellow, pink and red. If vou purchased an onalis type shamrock in the past and want to propagate more plants they are very casy to grow. Reduce watering until the leaves die down and then knock the root mass out of the pot and divide the lirdle tubers into as many new plants as you want. Repot in new soi] and begin watering again. New leaves should appear in two to three weeks. The other folklore associ- ated with Trifolium repens is the four-leafed clover. It is not known why some plants Produce stems with four, five or even six leaves. For cen- TODAY: It’s the last day of Park Royal Shopping Centre’s annual Spring Home and Garden Show throughout the mall, featuring new ways to improve and rejuvenate the outside of the home. Landscaping, sunrooms, patio furniture and garden orna- ments will be on display as well as interior renovation ideas. More than 35 exhibitors will betaking part. TODAY: It’s the last day of the 15th Capilano Highlanders Scouts yearly manure sale. One 50 Ib. bag is $3.50, three bags are $10 and five bags are $15. This year the scouts are also selling clear garden bags — 10 for $4, 30 for $10. Pre- order by telephone or fax to 987-2545. MARCHE 18: The Vancouver Rhododendron Society invites everyone interested in growing thododendrons and compan- ion plants to join them at 8 The Wooderafters Custom Made Furniture Entertaiament Centres to Custom Fit Your Home Dressers, Armoires, Entertainment Centres, Computer Workstations and much more! Bring your photos & ideas - We'll make it happent 291-1488 1142 Boundary Road, Surnaby Mon - ft Sam-Spm_* Sat 10am - 4:3¢pm_ p.m. at Van Dusen Gardens at 37th and Oak in Vancouver for an evening with Frank Fujioka, renowned hybridizer and nurseryman. A sale of members’ plants and ceramic pottery will take place at 6:30, and an educational seesion starts at 7:30. Admission is free. MARCH 18: The Lynn Valley Garden Club would like to invite all present and former members to their special VErS turies people have felt it is geod luck to find one of these unique stems, particu- larly with four leaves. Ir is quite common for people to press and dry their four leaf clover and keep it or send it toa friend as a good luck charm, Run A number of gardeners have asked me about rhado- dendron plants that have developed brown leaves over the winter. Some of the less hardy rbododendrons that formed new growth late in the season did not have time to harden off before the cold snap hit just before Christmas. With tempera- tures down tu -10 or -t2 C, the leaves and possibly the buds have turned brown and will not come back to life. In most cases the stem and growth bud is still alive ard will continue to grow in the spring. Do not cut the brown sections off as the new growth will hide the dis- coloured leaves and they will drop off on their own. This treatment may apply to other evergreen shrubs as well. anniversary meeting at the Lynn Valiey United Church hall, at 3201 Mountain Hwy. at 7:30 p.m. Contact 980-5170 for more information. MARCH 27: The West Van Parks and Recreation depart- meni offers a short course on Plant Propagation, from 9:30 am. to 11:30 a.m. Learn the - art of seed germination, trans- planting, fertilizing, soils and growing bedding plants. Instructor Peter Sykes manages the WV Districe Greenhouse where the class will take place. The fee is $23.54 (supplies included). Pre-registration is required. Call 925-7270. If your business or charity is planning a gardening event, send in your info as early as possible to the -North Shere News, 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Van, B.C, V7M 2H4. Priority is given to fandrais- ~ ing events and shows taking place on the North Shore. 50% OFF BLINDS © Hunter Douglas ° Elite « Shade-O-Matic *« Abbey Sreams" 1992, 1994 and 1996 « Diopes « Shades » Valence * Buy Direct from Wholesale * Free in-home consullation T®tARHRRAAE HA tlt te wh gta tg CUO tn a