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18 - PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" Many gardeners find shady gardens challeng- ing, simply because fewer plants thrive in the shade than in the sun. A woman who is just starting out gardening told me that she walks through the greenhouse choosing plants-I like that and that and that one-but then finds that all her choices need a sunny location. "What can I grow in the shade?" she implored. Her question is com- mon and not easily answered until we know how shady her garden is. There are different degrees of shade which determine what plants can be grown. If the shaded area receives almost: no sunlight, for example, accept that nothing will grow well there. A mulch of white or a light- coloured rock can be used to brighten the area. i Most gardens are not shaded to that extreme. There may be other fac- tors, however, which also limit what (or how) plants LT SERIES i can be grown. Dry, Shady Areas Beside the old farm- house where my husband Ted and I raised our fami- ly, large trees on the north side not only provided fairly dense shade but also blocked out rain. Our solution to planting in this dry, shaded area was to set out matching pots brimming over with bright tuberous begonias and trailing English ivy. This solution also works well underneath ever- green trees, such as: spruce, where the under- lying soil will be not only shaded and dry but also quite acidic. Wet, Shady Areas At the other extreme, when the shaded area is very moist, plant perenni- als such as astilbe, colts- foot, .meadowsweet or rayflower, which thrive in these conditions. Bog rosemary "Blue Ice" is a pretty perennial that pro- duces pink flowers in May and June; its icy-blue foliage provides year- Three Degrees Of Shade round colour. Nolana is a blue-flow- ered annual that does well in partially shaded, wet areas. Mimulus, with its richly coloured, tubular flowers, is one of the most versatile annuals, growing well in wet locations and thriving in either full sun or full shade. : Very Shady Areas Ferns and woodland perennials, such as blood- root, trillium and jack-in- the-pulpit, take more shade than most other plants. Begonias and tore- nia withstand more shade than most other flowering anriuals. As a groundcover, try goutweed, twinflower or bunchberry. Certain wildflowers, including wild crocus, shooting star and the wild tiger lily, are well-suited to shady gardens. Astilbe, bleeding heart, hosta, ornamental grasses and primroses are perennials that are happiest with more shade than sun. Both gentians and pul- monaria will produce flow- ers of rich blue in this part of the garden. Somewhat Shady Areas When the garden is only partially shaded, the possibilities in plants are almost endless, even when the garden receives more shade than sun. Day lilies are one of the most versatile perennials and offer a full spectrum of flower colours. In par- tially shaded areas, they produce lots of blooms, although not to the extreme profusion that they do in full-sun loca- tions. For a striking and "colourful groundcover in the partially shaded gar- den, try the Variegated Fleeceflower (Fallopia japonica "Variegata"). This outstanding new plant has lacy foliage in subtle shades of green, white, pink and rose and clusters of fine, feathery white flowers. Suitable vines include variegated Virginia creeper "Starshowers" (Parthen- continued on page 20 LAWN TRACTORS SABRE = he LAWN TRACTORS Just *1,919 * Overhead-valve engines ranging from 14.5- to 20-hp * Welded steel frame ¢ 18-in. turning radius SALE ENDS JULY 5, 2000 T105C LINE TRIMMER 5259 \ * 1.05-hp * 15-in. cutting swath » Weighs 8.5 Ib. REEL we "For LT133 with 38-In. mower based on selling price of $2,700 ess $405.33 y down, ' » Barco orice of 48 monthly payments of $59., totaling $2,832. Based on 8.5% APR the full cost { borrowing will be to John Deere approval. Prices shown do nof include any taxes, setup and With big savings and low Once again it's time to get your lawn and garden in shape for the season. So stop in and see us during the John Deere Spring into Summer Sale. monthly payments, you're sure to leave with a lit- Hl spring in your step. + $2,399.67 to be financed with $438.33 All transactions subject delivery charges. some restrictions may apply.