YOU NO doubt noticed

that I abandoned my epic
@ tale recounting some of the
more worthy choices for the
shadowy regions of your
garden.

| Geof
Tobiasson

OVER THE GARDEN GATE

You see, | mistakenly presumed
that three articles in 2 row on
shade gardening was sctting too
gioomy a tone so I elected to drop
it for the time being.

_ 1 say mistakenly because last
week I was chastened for leaving
some of you in the dark.

Annual sale

if THE FIFTEENTH

Capilano .Highlanders
Scouts’ are preparing for

’. their annual manure sale.

’” The weekend event takes place
at the Edgemont Village Esso Sta-
tion located at 3089 Edgemont
Bivd.. in North Vancouver on
March 7; 8, 14 and 15.

“The Saturday kours.are from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Sunday
_bours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Proceeds from the sale will sub-
sidize. camping equipment pur-

chases and travel expenses con-

Friday, March 6, 1992 — North Shore News — 13

Back to the shade

It seems that many of you were
awaiting word on which piants
might make good groundcovers
for the shade. In my belief that
you, my loyal readers, are the
final arbiter as to the content of
this column, we shall once again
take the plunge back into the
shadow lands.

There are many plants that are
suitable for use as a groundcover
in the shade; a few even appear to
thrive in this seemingly hostile en-
vironment. Plants such as English
Ivy (hedera helix), Saint
Johnswort (hypericum calycinum)
and Salai (gaultheria shallon) are
but a few of the more common
examples. They appear to tolerate
not only the lack of light but also
the poor soil conditions that
usually accompany it.

Periwinkle (vinca miner) is
another plant we commonly con-
sider to be a good groundcover
for tne shade. Although you
should net expect it to establish
itself quite az quickly as the three
previously mea.tioned, it will get
there eventually. Be sure to keep
the weeds out until it does so.

Even though Japanese Spurge
(pachysandra_ terminaitlis) is less
common than periwinkle, i fcei it
is a superior choice for this ap-
plication.

It will fill in faster, it is tolerant

of poor soils and it is more
drought resistant. You may miss
the flowers of periwinkle, but
most will consider the reduced
after-planting maintenance as
ample compensation.

This is not to say that these te-
nacious terraforms would not ap-
preciate some of the general im-
provements that were discussed in
earlier columns. A little extra
compost and lime worked into the
soil as well as a more frequent
watering program will go a long
way towards helping these plants
cover the ground as quickly as
possible.

For those of you who enjoy
looking for and cultivating some
of the less commonly secn
treasures than those mentioned,
try finding a few Epimediums.
These exquisite little plants are
considered more herbaceous
perennial than groundcover, but
they still get the job done.

In general, the plant grows 12
to 15 inches tall and is well-cloth-
ed in attractive, heart-shaped
leaves which lend it a lush, trop-
ical look. These leaves can vary in
color from bright green to mid-
green, accented with tinges of red,
orange and yellow in fall.

Throw in dainty displays of
white, yellow or pink flowers and
you know why I like this plant.

subsidizes scout activities

nected with many scouting activi-
ties.

**This manure is really great,’’
says Ross McDonald, an Edge-
mont Village resident with a green
thumb. “I’ve been using it for six
years and have always been pleas-
ed with the results.”’

Graham Sega!, a 10-year user
of scout manure, agrees: ‘‘I think
my green lawn and healthy
flowers are the pride of the
aeighborhood.”’

_The sale has been an annual
event for 22 years and involves
children of all ages in the scouting

of instant credit available through BC.
Gas ... is only a phone call away*
* on your BC. Gas Billing

pera
instal®

2%

ANNOUNCEMENT
The legend is now in good supply!

by A(FIREPLACE)

1293 Marine Drive, North Vancouver 987-1293

movement including Beavers,
Cubs, Scouts, Rovers and Ven-
turers.

Potting soil will also be avail-
able. For more information call
980-1552 between 3 and 5 p.m.

Epimedium grandificrum is the
most commonly available of the
20 or so species that make up this
genus of planis. Its various forms
present flowers in shades of white,
carmine-pink, violet or yellow.
The crimson-carmine of, e.g.,
“Rose Queen’’ make it one of the
most sougat-after forms.

Most epimediums come from
the Orient; e. pinnatum, however,
is native to the Caucasus moun-
tains and Iran. Like most of the
others, its bright yellow flowers
appear on slender, arching stems
some time in May to July.

I believe e. x rubrum to be the
most impressive of the group as
regards foliage display. The new
leaves of spring are tinged red and
change to vibrant shades of
orange and yellow in autumn.

[a ren .

Combine this with the appearance
of crimson flowers in May and
you have a real winner.

These plants prefer a loose, rich
soil and reasonable amounts of
water to flourish. This will likely
mean improving your planting site
with compost and regular watering
over the summer months.

They are evergreen to semi-
evergreen, but will respond well to
a bit of a brush cut jusi before
new growth begins to emerge in
spring. Plant them about 12 to 15
inches apart for best results.

ALL Lc] i
THRU
mE Z INU
opener
‘hae