A Walk on the Shady Side, guided by Donna Zarudny, BLA, MLA, owner of Dufferin Garden Centre, was the theme of Elora and Salem Horticultural Society’s meeting for April.
Zarudny offered several pointers to ensure a successful shade garden abounding with stunning colours, beautiful textures and variety of plant form. She stressed the importance of starting a shade garden with good soil. Once soil has been amended according to the needs of the specific site, plant selection and location is the next major consideration.
She explained it is more pleasing to one’s eye if plants are placed in groups of three or five. To ensure season long interest, through successive blooming, planning is the next essential ingredient.
One should also bear in mind a plant’s foliage may be even more important for interest in the garden than the flower it bears. Be sure to check the labels on the containers and ask nursery personnel if unsure. To conserve moisture and decrease the weeding required, a mulch on the soil’s surface is recommended.
Some of the new shady characters introduced for sale in 2010 should be available at local nurseries and Zarudny encouraged members to try a few of them. Especially noted were 2 Annabelle Hydrangeas – Invincibelle Spirit, a pink flowering strain and a new and improved white, Incrediball; a re-blooming purple lilac – Bloomerang; a four foot high hosta – Empress Wu; Astilbes named Fireberry and Visions in White; an endless variety of Heuchera, Heucherella, and Hosta; etc.
Shade gardening has become very exciting – the sky’s the limit.
Members also look forward to their own Spring Plant Sale scheduled for May 15, 8am at the Salem Schoolhouse parking lot at the corner of County Roads 7 and 18, across from the Esso Station.
A good variety of herbaceous perennials for shade and sun will be available as well as woodland plants, composted horse manure, and much more.
Donated plants can be dropped off at the schoolhouse May 13 and 14, by 8pm. Profits will be used to beautify Centre Wellington.
If anyone has any questions contact Claude Lacroix at 519-843-3131.
