WHO TO CALL:

Community Editor Andrew McCredie

Hane and Garden Editor Layne Christensen

985-2131 (147) 985-2131 (118)

Roy | - Jonsson

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- ANCOUVER AND the southwest corner of B.C. is often - referred to as Lotus Land or

_*-' the Banana Belt by eastern-

ers, paztly in derision and : partly out of jealousy.

ae When comparing Vancouver to

areas with a similar latitude, these areas appear to have a much milder climate. At first glance they would appear to have a sub-tropical cli- mate if you based your decision on the abundance of palm trees and sub-tropical looking plants. Places that come to mind are western Scotland, southern Ireland, south- em Germany. Switzerland and New Zealand.

For a number of years, a small group of determined gardeners has been breaking the commonly accepted rules of plant hardiness and pushing the old limits north for a whole series of plants. Oddly. some of their success may be due to environmental pollution and the build-up of greenhouse gases.

The Pacific North West Palm and Exotic Plant Society is a chap- ter of the International Palm ; Society in California. This enthusi- astic group has been successful introducing hardy palms, half

hardy bananas and similar plants to |

Friday, June 30, 1995 — North Shore News — 13

STORIES

ONE GARDEN trend that.is gaining in popularity is the to see in North Shore gardens a small fish pond or lily-

the focal area. Some palm trees now produce hardy, home grown seed.

Another interesting addition to local gardens will be coming from New Zealand. The native plants of Kiwi-land have evolved in isola-

‘tion and are quite different from

our local or imported species from Europe. One of the most interest- ing groups of plants in N.Z. are the

LS Mee. man, Reg. 12.49 ee

tree ferns. They give the landscape a distinctive tropical appearance that borders on the primeval. Not al) N.Z. plants would be hardy in our area, but some of them will give our gardeners and landscapers a greater choice

Peter Anson, a native kiwi, and long-time Sunshine Coast resident. has recently begun importing native plants of his homeland. The

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NEWS photo Terry Peter:

use of water features. It is not uncommon pad poo! worked into the garden setting.

plants being shipped to Canada are being removed from construction sites where plants would ordinarily be destroyed. What would tradi- tionally have been burned will soon be. available to local garden- ers.

Tender and half-hardy plants can either be lifted and stored ina

See Ponds page 14