26 - Friday, November 9, 1990 - North Shore News

HOME & GARDEN Decorating includes the exterior, too

AS THE cliche says, ‘‘A man’s home is his castle’? — the personal space needed to relax and entertain. Whether it be an apartment, condominium or house it also is a symbol that reflects the owner’s personal taste and creativity. Consequently, design and decorating are important to Ca- nadians who seek to enhance their quality of life.

However, decorating does not have to be limited to the inside. A beautiful yard not only comple- ments a house, it also serves as a sanctuary. With just a little plan- ning and effort — the sense of wonder and peacefulness found in beautiful show gardens such as Holiand’s Keukenhof, England’s Kew Gardens and the various botanical gardens in Canada can be captured in personal gardens, too. In fact, medical studies show that feeling close to nature is good for one’s health.

Imagine relaxing in a_ chair beside brilliant, sweetly scented flowers, or reading a book on a bench surrounded by rich, green foliage and lots of dramatic color. Even if your ‘‘garden’”’ simply is a balcony, it can be turned into a little haven by using window boxes and planters.

CREATE YOUR OWN DESIGN

Creating a garden design re- quives more enthusiasm than skill and, although certain styles are in vogue, all garden designs may be considered in fashion; the basic requirement simply is to please yourself.

According to the flower bulb industry, pastels are taking the spotlight. The soft look in a natu- ral setting is becoming more pop- ular. Instead of placing them uniformly (side by side like soldiers) the preferred look is to plant bulbs in clusters or drifts of five, seven or nine (odd numbers

Bazaar to benefit seniors’ garden

ANOTHER ‘‘BEAUTIFICA- TION” is taking place at Cedar- view Lodge. It is a garden located on the south side of the lodge, named by residents as ‘‘Cedarview Gardens.”’

The Resident Garden Commit- tee is full of enthusiasm and ideas

for garden projects, from raised -

garden beds, a special rose garden, veggie patch and herb garden to a year-round flower garden and, if funds permit, ex- tended patio and trellis.

A bazaar and raffle ticke: sales produced over $4,000 towards construction costs, but another $13,000 is still needed for comple- tion of the proposed project.

To help raise funds, the Cedar- view Lodge Resident Garden Committee is holding another bazaar with lots of goodies for sale, on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cedarview Lodge, 1200 Cedar Village Close in North Vancouver.

For more information call 922- 6325.

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look better than even). The apricot-colored tulips ‘Douglas Baader’ and the so-called pink daffodils with their pale salmon or peach centres, such as ‘Apricot Beauty’ and ‘Salome’ are favorites, especially when combin- ed with other bulb flowers such as Galanthus, Leucojum and Muscari. These bulbs will natural- ize well, and multiply over time, creating an informal scene as if Mother Nature had planted it herself.

If your taste runs to bolder displays, try planting bunches of the larger, brightly colored bulb flowers such as the multi-headed golden single late tulip, ‘Georgette’ whose flower petals are stained with red coloring. Or try parrot tulips such as ‘Estetla Rijnveld’ which has large, coarsely fringed and undulating petals in striking colors. For contrast, scat- ter lots of the ‘‘little’’ bulbs such as Puschkinia, Scilla, Chionodoxa, Iris reticulata and miniature daffodils among them.

Because bulb flowers offer such a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, coordinating the exterior and interior decorating schemes becomes quite easy. For example: if a curtain frames a garden scene — match its colors with those of the flowers. If a window looks out onto a fence or wall, complement the view with border flowers such as snowdrops, crocus, daffodils, glory-of-the-snow or lilies.

If a color is dominant inside, bring it outdoors with flowers in a

variety of sizes and shapes. Ex- periment with perennials, trees, shrubs and accessories such as or- naments, benches and even a sw- ing. Furniture invites visitors to sit and relax.

And don't forget the front yard, Although much time may not be spent there, the area usual- ly greets visitors. Highlight the walkway with splashes of color or plant a small garden beside the door. Include alliums which natu- ralize well and are ideal for rock gardens. in addition, they bloom in late spring, early summer, fill- ing the gap between spring- and summer-flowering plants. Try Allium oreophilum (purple, siar- shaped flowers), Allium moly (golden yetlow) or Allium sphaerocephafon commonly called drumsticks, which make great dried flowers.

SELECT FIRM BULBS

You don’t have to be an expert to create a dynamic exterior using bulb flowers. A little imagination and some tender loving care will take you most of the way. Here are a few hints to make the task easier. Because flower bulbs are storehouses of nvtrieats, you al- ready have a head si.vt.

Select firm, high-quality Dutch bulbs; small nicks and loose skins will not affect the quality of the flower.

e Ensure the soil is well drain- ed. Virtually any type will do as long as it is loose and porous. To improve drainage, add organic matter — such as peat moss or compost — by as much as 50 per cent of the volume of the upturn- ed soil. Also, try planting in rais- ed beds.

© Work some fertilizer into the soil at the bottom of the planting

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hole. If you forget, apply a top dressing and work it in lightly. Water and melting snow will dissolve it and carry it down to the roots. Use a slow-release fer- tilizer, e.g. containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the ratio 9-9-6 or a 9-9-9 combination, if the former is not available.

* Plant bulbs twice as deep as their height. Large bulbs (e.g. tulips, daffodils, etc.) should be spaced 10 to 15 cm (four to six inches) apart; little bulbs (e.g. crocus, muscari, squills, etc.) should be five to eight cm apart (two to three inches). *Once bulbs are in position, cover them with the dug out soil. Add the remaining upturned soil

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until the ground is level. Water again. (Since bulbs grow even after the ground has _ frozen, watering ensures adequate moisture for their growth.}

© Cover with a 10 cm (approx- imately four inch) layer of organic mulch — leaves, straw, etc. Keep soil moist, particularly during dry spells. (Mid-winter thaws — not the cold — are the enemy of har- dy bulbs, sometimes causing them to start growing far too early. Mulch minimizes the danger, especially when the snow cover is variable).

Just a little planning and work this fall will bring forth hours of enjoyment in your garden next

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