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GENTLE -SUMMER breezes,
soft-colored flowers peeking
through a bower of lush green
foliage, and the gentle murmur of
a water fountain: these things
define the romantic garden, one
that is easy for the home gardener
to create. In fact, there is no
standard recipe for the design of a
romantic garden; it’s that personal
touch that makes it meaningful.

So, the following ideas are just
suggestions for creating one in
your back yard.

Color is one of the most impor-
tant aspects of a romantic garden.
Harmonizing, delicate shades
usually are the best; pink with
lavender, for instance; or, pale
blue and dark purple. One-color
gardens also fit into this category;
the so-called blue garden is onc of
the most popular, an effect
created by using only lilac-
lavender-violet flowering plants.

The romantic garden features a
broad sweep of beds and borders
with cobblestone paths between
them. Never straight or angular,
in this setting lines curve in large,
graceful strokes. Picture an ar-
chway, covered with old-fashion-
ed, fragrant roses, leading to a
semi-secluded hollow where a
classical statue or bird bath com-
pletes the scene and you have the
essence of the romantic garden.

One of the key features of a
romantic garden has to be water

Creating a romantic garden

— in a pool, fountain or tiny
waterfall. Frame the water scene
with a weeping birch, such as
Betula pendula or a_ weeping
willow (Salix), and you add to the
delicate mood of this special
garden.

Perhaps the most romantic of
all the summer-flowering bulb
plants is the lily. Its elegant shape
and hardy nature make it ideal in
the perennial plant border and its
ancient lineage makes it a perfect
choice for the romantic garden.

There are about 100 known
species of lily, all of which occur
naturally in the northern hemi-
sphere, in regions which share a
somewhat modcrate climate. Some
of the best known types today are
Mid-Century (er Asiatic) hybrids,
creating in the 1950s by Jan de
Graaff in Oregon. However, many
species lilies are equally well-liked
and are very appropriate in the
romantic garden.

Lilies have been part of re-
corded history for about 4,000
years. In addition to its use as a
cut flower, the lily also has been
used extensively for medicinal
purposes. Bruised buibs were used
to cool infections and were good
for burns. The leaves were used to
treat snake bites and the water of
the lily for leprosy. It was used
for a long time as a diuretic (i.e.
to expel urine) and was recom-
mended for fluctuating
temperatures.

Garden events at Sun Yat-Sen

THE FOLLOWING are activities
offered to the public at the Dr.
Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese
Garden.

Tuesday, July 16 at 1:30 p.m.:
a Chinese calligraphy demonstra-
tion by calligrapher Theresa Lee.

Saturday, July 20 at 1 p.m.: a
Tai Chi and Wu Shu Demonstra-
tion by Master Liang (an interna-
tionally acclaimed Tai Chi and
Wu Shu artist and medal winner)

and his students. They will con-
duct a variety of solo and group
performances.

Saturday, July 27 at 2 p.m.: a
traditional! Chinese music concert
will be held in the Garden by Pipa
Soloist Miss Qiuxia He and
friends.

For further information, con-
tact 662-3207. The garden is
located at 578 Carrall St., in Van-
couver.

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In addition, many people in the
past have believed that lilies have
cosmetic value. It was thought
that women who washed
themselves in the juice of a lily
would retain their youthful beau-
ty. The petals were mixed with
honey to remove facial wrinkles
and to make skin soft again. At
one time lily flowers were used as
aphrodisiacs, and the roasted
bulbs were considered a delicacy
in the Middle East.

The white Madonna lily, Lilium
candidum, was especially signifi-
cant during the Renaissance when
it became a symbol of purity and
chastity by association with im-
ages of the Virgin Mary. The
plant reaches a height of more
than one metre, bear 60 to 100
leaves and produces between five
and 20 large, nodding white
flowers, flushed light green on the
outside. .

Lilium martagon L., the
Turkish lily, takes its name from
the fact that the flower has reflex-
ed petai, making it look rather
like a turban. The stalk reaches a
height of one metre and bears
three to six flowers; large bulbs
may produce twice as many. One
lily familiar to most North Amer-
icans is the long-stemmed L.
longiflorum, used here on Easter

If you’re having an Open House
this week-end ...

and Memorial Day as a symbol of
hope.

The golden lily, L. auralum, ar-
rived in Europe in 186! from
Japan in the name Emperor's lily.
Its slender stalk bears 29 or more
fiowers, each with a diameter of
25 to 30 cm. The large, white
petals are marked with purple
spots and a lengthwise wide, gold-
en-yellow stripe. It's strong, pleas-

sant fragrance makes the golden li-

ly a welcome addition to the
romantic garden.

In the perennial border colors
of species and some hybrid lilies
combine well with a variety of
other plants. For instance, try
them with Salvia (sage), small-
teaved Hosta species or Euphorbia
polychroma (spurge).

Planting lilies among ground
covers not only produces a charm-
ing visual effect, it protects the
sensitive bulb and roots against
fierce sunlight and dry soil. Al-
though they like a sunny site, lilies
can tolerate light shade as well.
Lilies also will thrive in con-
tainers, if the pots are deep
enough and filled with nutritious -
potting soil. Place them at
strategic spots throughout your
romantic garden and enjoy their
blooms through the summer and
into early fall.

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