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economist sunthe tribune thursday march 12 1998 p 13 clean up perennial garden prune trees shrubs now march is always an unpredictable month one that both worries and delights gardeners following an unusually warm winter and a cold snap now without the benefit of snow cover could be very damaging many people have asked what effect this mild weather will have on our gar dens no one knows for sure we do know that many perennials particular ly alpines would prefer cold and dry to warm and wet a large mat of veronica filifolia in my rock garden is always ready to bloom as soon as the last snow melts in late march this year it has been uncovered for most of the winter the foliage usually evergreen is brown entomologists are warning that we should expect a heavy infestation of insects this spring because so few eggs and overwintering adults will have been killed by the cold usually i recommend cleaning up the perennial garden before the bulbs start to come up so they wont be dam aged in the process this year the bulbs are so far ahead of schedule that this could be difficult on a day when the soil is firm cut back perennial foliage ornamental grasses and all summer and fall blooming clematis wait to prune roses until you can see live buds prune summer and fall flow ering shrubs eg potentilla and sum mer spireas not bridalwreath when pruning shrubs dont just shape them into round balls remove at ground lets get growing marjorie mason hogne level one or more of the oldest stems from each bush then cut back the remaining stems from 13 to 12 mak ing the cut just above an outfacing bud try to retain the natural shape of the shrub also prune trees except maple birch and beech remove up to 14 of the branches from the crown of trees to allow more light into densely shaded areas special advice for marina and others who planted lilac bushes last year no pruning now if you do get a few flow ers this year do not cut them for a bou quet after they have finished blooming simply snip off the spent bloom at its base next years flowers will form just below this years blossom if you want a lilac that doesnt get taller than six feet you must buy a dwarf variety you will never have blooms if you keep cutting the stems back if you are attempting to rejuvenate old lilacs but still want flowers prune back only 13 of the stems each year leaving some to blossom for best results use fertilizer sparing ly potash is appreciated but the high nitrogen formula used for lawns will produce all leaves and no flowers after the first year water no more than once a week in dry spells lilacs can be very drought tolerant fortunately we have two major gar den shows to get us through this month canada blooms continues until sunday march 15 at the toronto con vention centre and success with gar dening runs from friday march 20 to sunday march 22 at the international centre send your questions or comments to lets get growing co the tribune 24 toronto st n uxbridgeonl9ple6 cfl jrum mm tottnof m whitchurch stouffville notice whitchurchstouffville water bills due to unforseen circumstances re the delivery of the water bills they are due march 27 1998 and not march 20 1998 as stated on your water bills water bills have now been hand delivered to your residence please check doors and mail boxes for bills if you should not receive a bill contact our office immediately water payments may be made by mail or in person at the town office and at most financial institutions through tellers banking machines and by telephone banking fees may apply after hours water payments may be made in the drop box at the front entrance door of the municipal office town office hours monday to friday 830 am to 430 pm 6401900 8952423 box 419 19 civic avenue stouffville ont l4a 7z6 maurice malone accounting manager the george pubi 104 brock st w uxbridge 905 8529549 new sunday traditional special roast beef yorkshire pudding with all the trimmings 1499 for 2 after 200 open daily for lunch specials 1100 am full english breakfast served sat sundays 800 am 1230 pm includes homemade sausage black pudding or haggis if your heart desires tuesday march 17th st patricks day celebration entertainment karaoke wednesdays are here to stay 9 100 friday karaoke 9 100 saturday sourpuss back by popular demand 9 100 lease a new 1998 accent l 5year100000 km powertrain warranty 3year60000 km 24hour roadside assistance program electronicallycontrolled 15 litre 4cylinder multivalve engine dual remote control mirrors full folding rear seat the new hyundai per month 48 months oac i hurry in for best selection 5829 highway 7 east markham 4725525 south side of hwy 7 just west of hwy 48 playing an assortment from rythym blues to 90s tunes see you there comer of hwy 7 and mccowan rd 2940134 birthday specials sofa chair sofa love seat we sell the best for less 48 years serving markham stouffville uxbridge in canadian made chesterfields by sklar statum king koil concordian future and many more no taxes no 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