BULBS AND TUBERS 15 - Friday, March 30, 1990 - North Shore News Fiowers bring the smell of spring indoors CUT FLOWERS are a delight to the eye and sometimes to the nose, too. Hybridizers have for years experimented to create new varieties with characteristics such as stronger stems and longer vase life. Now, fragrance once again is taking centre stage in their efforts. When it comes to bulb flowers, hyacinths and lilies undoubtedly come first to mind, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Look at all the other pleasantly scented types that grow from bulbs and tubers. Other spring-flowering bulbs that have a lovely aroma include that group of Narcissus known as jonquils which gives us the cultivars ‘Cheerfulness’ (creamy white color), ‘Yellow Cheerfulness’ (soft yellow), ‘Cragford’ (white perianth, yellow cup), and ‘Gera- nium’ (also white and yellow). The tithe one called ‘Suzy’ (yellow and orange) smells delicious but is so small it is hardly ever used as a cut flower. Among daffodils, the most strongly scented, of course, is the well-known ‘Paperwhite.” In fact, a bunch of them will fill a large room with penetrating fragrance and can be almost overpowering. Many lilies, 100, are strongly scented, such as the gold-rayed li- ly, L. auratum; the Madonna lily, L. candidum — regarded as the leading cut-flower in this group; the Japanese lily having large, pure white trumpet-shaped flowers, L. longiflorum; the royal lily, L. regale, which some people think smells like honeysuckle; and L. speciosum, which spreads a delicious scent. Tulips are not often thought of for their fragrance; however, many of them do bear a delicate scent. Some of the best are ‘Bellona’ (single-flowered, yellow), ‘Christmas Marvel’ (single, deep pink), ‘General de Wet’ (single, orange), ‘Golden Melody’ (single. bright yellow), ‘High Society” (single, orange-edged/orange-red), and ‘Hoangho’ (double, sulphur- yellow). All year round, freesia smell wonderful. Available in yellow, white, cream, reddish, lilac and blue colors, both single and double varieties are now on the market. They are most abundant from March through May and most scarce in August, just when they might be expected to bloom natu- rally outdoors. One highly scented type is the tuberose, Polianthes tuberosa. Keep tending amarylilis piants THE FOLLOWING are facts about bulbs and their flowers. Did you know that: * Amaryllis need attention after they flower in order to bloom again next season? Keep the bulb growing by watering it regularly and adding some house plant fer- tilizer to the water every two weeks. © Potted iilies are a relatively new product on the market? Most of those available now are the upright flowers in orange, yellow and pink. Hybridizers keep them artificially short to make them more valuable as a house plant. Keep the soil moist and place in full light but away from direct sun and heat. ® It’s not too soon to plan your summer bulb garden? Think about all of the colors of gladiolus avail- able today — reds, rose, pinks, blues, green, yellow, orange, Window Cleaning by CAPILANO “Shear Glass’’ 987-4322 Quality and Reliability trom Capilano Office & Window Cleaning Ltd. Ross Smith “Sheer Class”’ It is always nice to be needed. During 1989, t was asked to co-ordinate the preparation of new headquarters for the wilderness preservation group, Western Canada Wilderness Committee. While | was involved with this group, | began to realize our need for change in the way we impact the environment in daily life. One simple method of changing your household for the bet- ter is to compost your kitchen and yard wastes in a backyard composter. The benefit to your household is that you will have an ongoing supply of soil nutrient for your lawns and gardens, eliminating the need for chernical nutrients and their accam- panying horrors. You can be proud that you are not putting your waste on the truck to be buried in someone else's backyard. Our positive action is needed now. Your Handyman offers three models of composters starting at $59.00, atl of which can be made pest resistant. When available, recycled building materials are used. For all your home and business repairs, installations and small renovations, call H _- 649-3796 Neighborhood Property Services white, cream, purple, lavender, and even chocolate brown! — and start selecting those you'll grow for cut flowers. Hint: chrysanthemum or sweet pea netting makes a great support for a mass of glads planted in a cutting bed. of smell group Muscari, the grape hyacinth, among the scented flowers. Lily-of-the-valley, Convallaria ma- jalis, offers a delightful scent and some individuals with a keen sense Vinyl & Alu g Specialists @ All Werk Coxditionobly Guaranteed © Quality Werkmanskip © Quodity Products © Theuxol Windew Replacement Protect Your Investment Eliminate Painting & Exterior Maintenance a) - Reduce Your Energy Casts - Sustobls Over Any Surtoce NORTH SHORE VANCOUVER | 980-4178 y 420-2788 D 1 i “ unti Z foril 1 He pine es 7 DAYS A WEEK 24 HRS. A DAY 3641 KUNGSWAY |”. INTRODUCTORY: SAVINGS ON.OUR NEW EXCLUSIV aed Loveseat also avaliable New styles, new fabrics “$499 & way UP & SWIVEL ROCKER New Designs von 499 0. New styles, new fabrics ALL PRODUCTS § FULLY from GUARANTEED Kroehter & Stylecraft New styles, new fabrics & vom $9AQ RECLIN | sell for less — FURNITURELAND = Aubrey Schneider Palliser & Stylecraft _ New styles, new fabrics won $2299 4 twin $1090 °°529° Doyble $1340 °629° $744 Queen $1520 S699 ‘$Bat *, ing szi1o $999. $1111 DELIVERY, SET-UP AND PICK-UP OF OLD FURNITURE "rurture exert” 414 E.3rd ST., NORTH VANCOUVER 986-1361