ulbs thrive in a var

ONCE AGAIN this year, Cana-
dians will buy and plant millions
of hardy flower bulbs.

Unfortunately, most of then
will end up laid out in straight
tows, in simple beds. This is a
shame because one of the major
advantages of bulbs is that they
can be grown under a wide variety
of conditions, including many
under which cther plants don’t
thrive.

For example, grass will not grow
-well under deciduous shrubs or
trees, nor will most annuals or
perennials, but bulbs will. Fill up
this otherwise wasted space with
beautiful spring bloomers such as
snowdrops, Siberian squills,
glory-of-the-snow, alliums,
puschkinias or winter aconites.

All of these are low-growing, in-
expensive bulbs which will form
glorious carpets of color in earliest
spring and will become so at home
they will actually multiply there.

LIFESTYLES|

Ground covers which also thrive
in such locations, provide an at-
tractive backdrop for many spr-
ing-flowering bulbs. In fact, taller
bulbs will rise over ground cover
plantings, adding color to the
winter-weary creepers.

Tops for this kind of planting
are early-blooming miniature daf-
fodils, such as February Gold,
Peeping Tom, Tete a Tete, Febru-
ary Silver, and also the ever-
popuiar trumpet and large-cupped
daffodils, now available in shades
of yellow, white, two-toned and
even pink.

Another under-used area in the
average Canadian yard is the lawn.
Of course, in heavy traffic areas,
grass is the best cover, but on sec-
tions of the lawn where people
rarely walk you might consider
planting bulb flowers.

All of the small spring bulbs —
crocuses, snowdrops, glory-of-
the-snow, etc. — will thrive in a

Chrysanthemums

to go on di

THE DR. Sun Yat-Sen Garden will
be hosting the Point Grey Chry-
santhemum Society’s exhibition of
late blooming chrysanthemums
Nov. 4 to 8.

The love of flowers is an ancient

passion among the Chinese. The
chrysanthemum indicum or China
Aster is much cultivated and
esteemed in all parts of the coun-
try.
‘North and south alike, the sym-
bot of autumn everywhere is the
chrysanthemum. Inevitably when
chrysanthemums bloomed it was,
and still is, a fine occasion for
seasonal entertainment.

By the first historical dynasty
(Shan 1600-1038 BC), the early
Chinese depending on agriculture
paid homage to the soil which gave
life to the indigenous yellow chry-
santhemum, valued for its medici-
nal properties long before. it was
grown as a decorative plant.

Spirit was an important element
in ‘the ancient Chinese attitude

isplay

toward plants, and it became
associated with particular kinds of
flora that were medicinally useful.
Medicinal value and_ holiness
became inextricably linked and this
confirmation of powers began to
be thought of as beautiful.

Rich in magic juices and
beautiful in form, chrysanthe-
mums became an ingredient in the
life-prolonging elixir of the
Taoists.

In ancient times, one story went,
people of Nanyang drew their
drinking water from a stream
where chrysanthemums grew.
Essences from these plants seeped
into the water and the residents all
lived to be one hundred years old.
The unusua) flowering season of
chrysanthemums perhaps pro-
moted their connection with long
life, for they bloom in the autumn
when everything else is dying off.

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical
Chinese Garden is located at 578
Carrall Street, Vancouver.

lawn. Their beautiful colors
brighten up the area in the early
spring while the lawn is still a drab
winter grey, then they fade away
by the time the lawn turns green.
Even daffodils will thrive under
such conditions, although early,
dwarf types are best, as they will
die back before mowing season ar-
rives.

Another good spot for bulbs is
in the perennial garden. Although
they combine very nicely with spr-
ing-blooming perennials, such as
doronicums and _ forget-me-nots,
they are perhaps at their best when
interplanted with the perennials
that will later form the summer
border, as the bright colors of the
bulb attract the eye away from the
bleak look of the otherwise empty
mixed border,

Smal! bulbs, daffodils and tulips
are all perfectly adapted to these
conditions and will come back year
after year to extend the perennial

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17 - Friday, October 21, 1988 - North Shore News

LIFESTYLES

ety of

garden’s season by two full mon-
ths.

Of course, beds have always
been a popular place for spring
bulbs, as they can later be
replanted with annuals.

Not only are they showy, but the
annuals will quickly hide the
fading foliage of the bulbs, making
the transition from spring garden
to summer garden a painless one.
You can also extend the early spr-
ing season by combining bulbs
with plants that bloom slightly
later, such as violets and daisies.

Finally, why not brighten up
flower boxes, tubs and other con-
tainers with the bright blooms of
spring bulbs? Tulips, daffodils and
many more are ideally suited for
this purpose, combining with
later-blooming annuals to make
the flowering season last from
snow melt to snowfall.

Now that the season for planting
bulbs is here, don’t neglect their

full potential. Before the first hard
frost of winter, find a place in
your yard for bulbs.

*North Shore

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