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PAGE A2. WHITBY FR2EE PRESS, OUTDOOR LIVING APRIL 13P 1988 PlatIocatio depends on regional differences PlaengreeioS ByRICKPECMAN O.G.S. GARDEN GALLERY Thlckfon Road North Moving from one part of the coun- try to another, particularly from north to south or vice versa, you may have been surprised at how dif- ferent gardening is between the two regions. Regional differences play an im- portant role in the location of the plants in your garden. Azaleas, which can be planted in almost full sun in Whitby need plenty of protec- tion from the elements in Hilton Head Island, South arolina. The reason for such differences is that the intensity of the sun i- creases thre doser you are to the equator. Add to that basic fact the multitude of climatic influences -fog, clouds, rain wind, and others and you quick.ly realize that banket statements concerning the type of exposure to give a plant are difficuit tomake. Many gardeners nave heard of "iplant hardiness," or "hardiness zone," but are a bit confused as to the relevance of these terms to the plants they have or are about to pur- chase. Plant hardiness is a term used when describing the ability of a plant to survive in the location it is intended for, or planted in, usually stated as; "Rhododendrons are hardy in Whitby, depending on thre species chosel. " Hardiness zone, on thre other hand, denotes a certain area to which plants can be assigned as being har- dy (will survive) under most cir- cumstances. A handy guide is the Canadian Plant Hardiness Zone map, which is available at Most local garden centres in Durham. broken down by numbers. Whitby, for example, falîs in between zones 6A and 5B. Before purchasing a plant, make sure that its hardiness rating is 6A or lower. A plant which is rated a 7 may be able to survive in Niagara Falls but may struggle or not survive at ail in Whitby. A plant with a rating. lower than 6A will mean that it will survive furtirer north than Whitby, so it should have no problem surviving here, if it is planted correctly and in its desired location. The preceding paragrapir brings to light thre three major factors in- volved in plant survivability: 1. The plant ishardy. 2. Thre plant is planted properly. 3. Tire plant is put in' its desired location ( 'eg. shade/sun, wet/dry, windy/nonwindy ... ) Once thre basic rules are learned. The gardener then has a much wider selection of -plants that they can choose from and be successful with. Some of the more unique plants that are available to Whitby gardeners include: Blue star juniper,1 blue point juniper, greenmound jumiper, moonglow juniper, blue tamarix. juniper, spearmint juniper, table top blue juniper, blue atlas codar, Montgomlery - blue spue spiièl/pom pom sea green juniper, weeping hemlock, threadleaf false cypress, weeping larch, weeping nootka false cypress, weepmng white pine, at Albert spruce. Broadeaf Evergreens: Firethorn, King Geor ge Heath, Blue Prince (ss') Holly, Japanese Pieris, Oregon Grape, Rhododendrons, Adams Needle, Golden Sword Yuc- ca, Manhattan Euoymus. Ornamefltals: Corkscrew Hazel standard, burning bush standard, etoneaster stan- dard, weeping apricot, weeping[ Japanese cherry, weeping pussy willow, lilac standards. Shade Trees: Japanese Angelica tree (devil's walkinge, rivers purpie beech, Himalayan birch clumps, Young's weeping birch, Kwanzan flowermng cherry, Gingko (maidenhair tree, oldest known to man, Paul Scarlet hawthorn, ivory silk lilac, upright European moufltain ash. Azaleas, butterfly bush, Carolina alîspice, silver edge dapirne, flowering dogwood, weeping for. sythia, niko blue hydrangea, sungold hypercium, Japanese kerria, French hybrid lilacs, saucer magnolia, Japanese maples, Ab. botiWood potentilla, golden p'riveýt Toyo Nishiki quince, redbud, rose'o,, Sharon, goldmound spirea chirobana ýspirea, varigatec welgelas. Vines: Clematis, climbing hydrangea silverlace vine, English ivy Chinese wisteria, Dutchman's pipe trumpet vine, Boston ivy. Ornamental Grasses: Maidengrass, ribbon grass, foui tain grass, red fountain grass, blu dracenas, brooms. Fruits: Apricots, nectarines, cherrie peaches, blueberries, tayberries. The list of unique plants that ca survive quite comfortably i Durham can go on and on, wit many gardeners unfamîliar wit exactly what is available. No woi der most homes have very simila shrubs in their landscapg Durham's many garden centres ca provide you with an amazing list( plants that will survive in your lai dscape, or send a knowledgeab] designer to your home to assist yo in making your home unique.