Special Features - Home and Garden Guide

2013

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PAGE 2

2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

MAY 2013

Your dream garden in eight steps Creating the garden of your dreams means either calling on the services of a landscape professional or diving headfirst into the project yourself.

Of course, landscaping a yard requires a great deal of time, but it is definitely a great opportunity to let your imagination run wild. Before you get down to work, here is a list of all the necessary steps to follow to turn your dream into reality.

1. Planning is vital Use your survey or certificate of location to check the site for any easements. Take note of hours of full and partial sunshine, undesirable views, which corners to highlight and which to hide. Find out about current municipal regulations concerning landscaping. Have your soil analyzed, locate the areas that are exposed to wind, and determine your hardiness zone.

2. Identify your needs How will you use the space? Do you want to install a pool or a spa?

Do you need space for a children’s playground? Would you like to create a water garden or a dining area?

Hang a hammock or plant a vegetable garden? Think carefully about all your needs.

3. Make a plan Using a pencil, eraser, and graph paper, draw a scaled plan of your property. Include the house, shed, pathways, driveway, and any trees and shrubs you want to keep. Then add all the elements of your new layout, taking into account the vegetation and structures you wish to include. Don’t be afraid to sketch out a variety of plans; it’s easier to make changes on paper than it is

once the work has started.

4. Choose your plants with care Before buying anything, take the time to make a list of all the plants you have chosen, including the hours of sunshine they need and the care they require. Be sure to consider the size of the vegetation once it has reached maturity — this is especially important if you want to plant trees and shrubs.

5. Spread out the work Spread the work out over more than a year so that your project doesn’t develop into a source of stress. Give priority to the jobs that require qualified workers and any machinery (pool, water garden, parking area). Establish a realistic timetable that takes your budget and your time availability into consideration.

6. Consult the experts Landscaping is an investment that

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could increase the value of your property. Don’t hesitate to consult an expert if you have any questions.

It is better to spend a few dollars straight away rather than have to redo already completed work.

7. Stay in control From the moment your garden starts to take shape, you will have to start maintaining it. No-maintenance gardens are a bit of a myth. Weeding, watering, and pruning can take either a few minutes every day or a few hours once a week —so, don’t wait for the work to pile up. Learn to delegate; family members can contribute to yard upkeep, and gardeners can be hired for weeding and for bigger seasonal jobs.

8. Enjoy it The last rule is definitely the best: have fun! Make the most of your dream yard and enjoy your favorite pastimes there. You deserve it!

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Box 22, Botha, Alta.

Tel: 403- 742-5034 Fax: 403-742-5311

MAY 2013

2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

! g n i Spr

PAGE 3

DESTINATION:

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2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

PAGE 4

MAY 2013

ProďŹ table renovation projects Perhaps you’d love to renovate your home but the expenditures involved are making you think twice. But what if you were sure that the changes you are planning will help you to resell your home? Some renovation projects can help you obtain a high enough sale price to recover your outlay.

Among these projects is the addition of a fireplace, a prized asset well worth the expense for many people. New, good quality windows made of PVC, wood, or aluminum will improve the appearance and comfort of your home, all while reducing heat loss. If your roof is showing signs of ageing, it

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will boost the value of your home to replace it.

If you have to decide which rooms to renovate, be aware that the kitchen and the bathroom get the most attention from potential buyers. If the floor coverings in these rooms include carpeting or linoleum, you won’t be wasting your time if you replace them with wood or ceramic. Installing ceramic tiles in the shower will help to give a bathroom a special cachet that can also boost resale value.

When carrying out renovations, keep all your bills so that you can show them to potential buyers. These will demonstrate how recent your renovations are and prove that you have been taking care of your property.

During the renovations keep careful track of your expenses so that you can be sure to recoup them when you sell the home. And remember that people are ready to pay more for a property that has been renovated with professionalism.

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MAY 2013

2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

Howe’s Greenhouse Phone 403-884-2651 Email: djrlb@xplornet.com

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* Supplier of Beautification Hanging Baskets & Planters for the towns of Stettler, Castor and Coronation

A SHORT DRIVE TO GREAT QUALITY

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2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

PAGE 6

MAY 2013

Shedding a little light on shade gardens Many amateur gardeners have difficulty choosing plants for a shady area.

Although the options were extremely limited up until not so long ago, it’s a very different story these days.

Now, garden centres offer a wide variety of suitable plants that add beauty and interest to any type of flowerbed.

The first step in creating a shade garden is to

realize that “shade” is not always easy to define. Very few budding gardeners can say if the site in question is shaded or partly shaded.

Indeed, shade isn’t static and varies greatly throughout the day and season.

Over a few days during the summer season, note how many hours of indirect sunlight and total shade the area receives. Then choose suitable plant varieties with

PJ’s Plantation

care, taking into consideration leaf texture and plant shapes, which are important factors in any shade garden.

A last piece of advice: most shade plants require rich, cool soil. To create the right conditions for them, spread a thick layer of shredded leaves around their bases in the fall. As they slowly decompose and become humus, the leaves fertilize the soil.

FERNS Finely cut fronds create

a spectacular effect.

BLEEDING HEART Pretty pink or white heart-shaped flowers distinguish this shrub.

HOSTA Although able to grow just about anywhere, it flourishes well in the shade.

Experienced gardeners mix different varieties in shaded areas to create beautiful colour contrasts.

HEUCHERA Dozens of showy varieties feature richly coloured leaves.

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2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

MAY 2013

We’ll give you the edge this spring.

PAGE 7

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YOUR POWER TEAM HEADQUARTERS AFTER HOURS TELEPHONE Sales: Regan Finlay: 780-372-2043 403-740-6494(cell) Terry Jobs: 403-740-9473 Parts: 403-742-8327 General Manager: Tracey Peters

PAGE 8

2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

MAY 2013

HEARTLAND BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? • Improve your home or business property by tidying, mowing, painting the fence • Place a colourful pot at your front step or business entrance • Compost leaves and clippings or take them to the allotted bins in Stettler • Invest in a mulcher for your mower – no more bags of grass!

• Take advantage of the Town Recycling by filling up your Green Boxes with recyclables such as cardboard, glass, plastic, etc.

• Pick up litter and don't dispose of garbage carelessly - make use of bottle/can recycling baskets on town garbage containers • Take pride in where you live – keep your street and alley clean and tidy • Pick up after your pet – bags are available along walking paths around town

SOME OF OUR 2013 GOALS ARE: Overarching Commuttee Initiatives • Continue to identify and tackle beautification / improvement projects in town • Increase / maintain community & youth awareness & involvement / participation in beautification activities & projects • Community Beautification Initiatives - Spring Plant Exchange & Yard/Garden/Container contests • Contribute to the improvement of town through streetscape beautification projects • Partner with businesses for banners for downtown area & main highway thoroughfares • Communities in Bloom-related initivatives & activities P Participate in National Communities in Bloom International Challenge competition • Stettler Community Gardens subcommittee P Maintain/improve Community Garden site & evaluate options for expansion to other sites • Environmental Action subcommittee - environment, recycling, waste reduction P Walk/Bike signage; Recycling/Environment Award; continue Green Tips; P Repeat/Follow up on BYO Bag and Backyard Recycling Campaigns P Walk/Bike to Work Day – Spring 2013 • Heritage Conservation subcommittee - historic / heritage awareness P Improve/reinvigorate historic downtown walking tour - new signs, flyer, etc.

P Create a "virtual" historical walking tour If you have any ideas that you think we should know about please contact us or the Town Office.

HEARTLAND BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE “Keeping Stettler Clean & Green” Members are: Councillor Peter Simons, Councillor Steve Wildeboer Town Staff: Lee Penner, Danielle Kennedy Community Members: Rob Spencer (chair), Gertie Thieme, Sue Anne Hennessey, Will Brown, Grace Fix, Marilyn Crow-Shuman, John Leard.

Sponsored by the Heartland Beautification Committee

2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

MAY 2013

PAGE 9

COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM Did you know the peony is Stettler’s official flower?

While the bloom time can be short, these plants are hardy and do well in this area. The wide variety of colours and types of blooms makes them an interesting addition to any yard.

The summer of 2012 was a very busy and exciting time to be a member of the Heartland Beautification Committee. In 2007 our town qualified, by virtue of receiving five blooms and the designation of best community of our size in Alberta, to compete on a national level. In 2008 to 2011, we competed at the national level, in the communities from 3000-8000 category (varies with the year). In 2011, we were chosen as the National Winner of the 3001-7500 population category (CiB Champion). In 2012, we chose to compete in the International Challenge – Small Communities, going against towns from across Canada and the world (Channel Islands, Japan and the Czech Republic.

Competing nationally is lots of work, but competing internationally is tougher (but is still worth it). We were told that the judging is more rigid. Our two judges in 2012 were Lorna McIlroy from Grande Prairie, Alberta and Diana K. Weiner, from Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania. Lorna was one of our judges in 2010. They were in town for one very full day. We were able to show them many of the different projects and initiatives that are being undertaken in the community. They visited many sites and had some quiet time to write notes and rest. They said that "Stettler has excellent facilities and amenities", and "is crisscrossed by many walking and biking trails, allowing residents and visitors to get out and enjoy the community." They noted many things around town, including the numerous revamping and revitalization projects in the downtown, the new entrance signs and the environmental focus of the town and council. They provided many useful comments and made several valuable recommendations, which we are acting upon.

Stettler did not win in the International Challenge (there were 12 communities), however we did receive five blooms and special mention for the Pedestrian Walking Paths and was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Landscape category (which is against all applicants, regardless of community size) and was a finalist in the Environmental Action category.

One of the most valuable benefits of competing and hosting the Bloom judges is that they provide excellent suggestions and challenges for us to focus on each year. Many of the comments and suggestions have been incorporated into our annual goals and initiatives. This year we demonstrated a high level of community involvement and a diverse range of projects and initiatives. The members of the Heartland Beautification Committee agree that it was only because of the support of the entire community that we were able to achieve five bloom status every year. Thanks Stettler for pitching in and showing how much you care for your community.

JUDGING SCORES/2012 CRITERIA Tidiness Environmental Action Heritage Conservation Urban Forestry Landscape (incl. Turf & Groundcovers Floral Displays

TOTAL 836/1000 (84%)

TOTAL 128.5 127.25 120.5 143.25 167.75

POSSIBLE 150 150 150 175 200

148.75

175

PERCENTAGE 85.7 84.8 80.3 81.9 83.9 85.0

Note: Community Involvement was assessed in each category in 2010 to 2012.

5 BLOOMS

2011 84.7 86.0 78.0 83.4 82.5

2010 87.5 83.7 82.5 80.6 84.3

2009 87.2 82 82.4 78.4 81.2/84.8

86.3

81.1

84

2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

PAGE 10

MAY 2013

A panoply of trends underfoot Resisting the temptation of exotic wood flooring will be extremely difficult this year. We will all be dreaming about African mahogany with its warm, classy tones: sand, terracotta, copper, caramel, and even green and blue. Rustic hickory and dark knotty walnut are also high on the dream-renovation list. Luckily for us, hardwood flooring is now available in a huge range of different finishes. Your natural wood floor can be hand scraped, brushed, or distressed in order to highlight knots and grains. New colours and contrasting tones are also on offer.

Easier to maintain, the new hardwood floors that are factory sealed and oiled have a smoother, glossier finish. Pre-varnished wood now comes with embossed surfaces that create a wavelike effect. Moreover, advances in nanotechnology have enabled the production of a varnish with more effective anti-abrasive qualities. Whether pre-varnished or pre-oiled, the new engineered wood floors, which can be used as floating floor or glued directly to the subfloor, ensure good soundproofing. Another new trend: wood floors with wide planks that create a rustic look.

The latest in ceramics is perfect for both floors and walls. New porcelain stone-

ware tiles create a contemporary look. Ceramic and precision-ground enameled porcelain have now taken on the form of planks that vary in shade and texture to imitate wood. And PVC flooring, which imitates wood and even stone, is also available. Innovations in linoleum production have allowed manufacturers to produce a wide range of textures and colours, including an imitation leather that uses eco-friendly materials.

A FLOOR COVERING FOR EVERY ROOM The latest trends will allow you to choose from some interesting innovations, but of course you will need to take into account the demands of each room before settling on a choice.

If your main criterion is comfort, for a bedroom or living room for example, carpet is a traditional choice.

For the more environmentally minded, hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, or a floating wood floor are also great choices.

For rooms with higher humidity levels, such as a bathroom or kitchen, ceramic is an especially suitable type of flooring to consider.

You could also opt for vinyl or the new types of laminate, which are water-resistant.

For a bathroom, think about limiting the risks of slipping as well as comfort. Natural stone could be an interest-

ing choice here. Engineered hardwood flooring is also a good option for the kitchen, as it is durable and easy to maintain, a perfect combination for this part of your home.

Flooring in the dining room must be stain resistant.

Choose wood, laminate, vinyl, or a dark-coloured carpet. For high traffic areas, such as the entrance hall or the family room, opt for a durable and comfortable floorcovering such as carpeting, hardwood, engineered hardwood, or laminate. For the basement, it is very important that the subfloor be well insulated. Suitable flooring could include carpet, engineered hardwood, laminate, or vinyl. Cork flooring is a great choice for a home cinema room or playroom because of its excellent soundproofing qualities.

All types of flooring are available in varying qualities and a wide range of prices.

For help in making the right choice, consult an interior

decorator who will be able to give you advice on the style, colour, texture, and motif of your floorcovering for the specific purpose of the room. Most of these specialists offer a free home consultation, and some are equipped with visual software that will give you a good idea of what the final result will look like.

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• Hanging Baskets • Tomatoes

2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

MAY 2013

PAGE 11

Exhaustion-free gardening Mowing, weeding, digging, planting, hoeing, pushing a wheelbarrow, and lifting bags of soil are all great ways to stay in shape. In fact, gardening on a regular basis builds cardiovascular strength and endurance, improves flexibility, and helps reduce stress.

However, because you use lots of different muscles when gardening, it is a good idea to prepare for every session in order to prevent pain and avoid injury.

First of all, warm up. The following are all good exercises, if you do them slowly and maintain the posi-

tion for ten to thirty seconds: squats; forward bends (at an angle of 25° to 40°); and shoulder, neck, and back stretches.

For optimal effect, repeat each stretch three times. Before heading out to the garden, think about the jobs you have to do and divide them up so as not to do all the most demanding tasks on the same day.

You could decide to dig over a flower bed for a few minutes to strengthen your muscles and follow it up with a job that increases your cardiovascular and pulmonary endurance, such as pushing a full wheelbarrow.

Finish up with a bit of weeding. Remember that every movement is an exercise in itself and that you should always work at your own pace. Take into account what you know you’re capable of and take care not to injure yourself.

Take frequent breaks and drink lots of water. Make the most of these rest periods to do more stretching, and think about repeating them once your gardening session is over. This routine is particularly important in the spring, when most people are coming out of a long period of winter inactivity.

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2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

PAGE 12

MAY 2013

Dispelling a few myths about trees Trees are the focal points of most gardens, so the needs of these green giants should be respected. After all, they breathe, eat, and live just like we do! A good start would be to dispel a few persistent myths.

Myth: When planting a tree, some roots should be trimmed so that new branches will grow more evenly.

Reality: Healthy roots should never be cut. Roots store and direct nutrition to the tree; to cut them would deprive the tree of this energy.

Myth: A newly planted tree should be supported by tutors (supporting trees or structures).

Reality: Trees only need tutors if they are planted in

a windy area, and even in that case, the tutors should be removed after a couple of years. Trees learn to move with the wind; leaving them to support themselves helps them develop a strong root system.

Myth: Applying protective paint to the end of cut branches promotes the health of the tree.

Reality: This is not necessary, even though it is a method that has been used for many years in the horticultural world. Researchers have discovered that sick trees develop a chemical barrier of their own.

Myth: Trees grow throughout the summer.

Reality: Most varieties of tree only grow in the six

weeks following the appearance of leaves in the spring.

That is when it is important to feed your trees with a good fertilizer.

Myth: Newly planted trees should be pruned hard to compensate for their lack

of roots.

Reality: New trees become more firmly established if they are not pruned. It is recommended to prune only those branches that have been damaged during transportation or at the time of planting.

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Many horticultural enthusiasts are filled with awe when they come across a mosaic garden and are sorely tempted to create something similar in their own gardens. That’s right, mosaic gardens are making a comeback, in public spa ces and in backyards everywhere.

The first step in creating a mosaic garden is to identify a highly visible area of your yard and start with a fairly modest plan.

For a beginner project, it is best to stick with a mosaic measu ring one square meter so that you can familiarize yourself with the technique. Otherwise you might get discouraged by all the hard work required to maintain a successful project. Even most public gardens settle for small mosaics.

Be sure to remove faded flowers so your mosaic garden looks fresh, and the design, clearly delineated. You will have to cut back or pinch plants once a week. Keep in reserve a few specimens of each variety you use in case you need to replace any. These plants are in such close proximity that there is always a risk of rot. Lastly, feed the plants with a water-soluble fertilizer every 15 days.

A good beginner project might be a mosaic of the sun with sun rays. To get you started, here are a few plant varieties you could use.

Foliage plants: alternanthera, coleus, echeveria, santolina, and sedum.

Flowering plants: ageratum, begonia, celosia, and marigolds.

MAY 2013

2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

PAGE 13

Lights that create a stunning effect The first factor to consider when choosing a light fixture is what you want it to do. A directional lamp is suitable for specific tasks such as reading or cooking, while a light fixture with a dimmer is preferable for creating atmosphere. Outdoor lighting requires fixtures designed to withstand bad weather. Designs vary greatly, as they may be used for security purposes or to show off a landscaping feature.

Inside the home, ensure that the style of your light is suitable for the area where it will be installed.

A modern lamp or recessed light will harmonize with a contemporary décor or a Zen atmosphere, whereas an antique or Victorian style lamp is essential for a

rustic or traditional style.

Bear in mind that if you place your table lamp or torchiere in a corner, its light will be reflected on two walls, amplifying luminosity. Light fixtures installed on pastel coloured walls and ceilings will be more efficient, as pale surfaces reflect about 80 percent of the light. Because dark surfaces only reflect about 10 percent, think about installing more lamps or fixtures in a room with dark walls in order to create sufficient light.

You can also choose your lights according to the effect you want to create. The range of different mo dels available on the market is so vast that you’re bound to find the look you’ve set your heart

Glorious colour Many novice gardeners have great difficulty choosing plant varieties for their yards, particularly when colour is concerned.

Combining colours and foliage is always a challenge, even for more experienced gardeners. It is well worth doing some research, however, as a harmonious flower bed sets apart a wellmaintained home with little cost and only a little bit of effort.

Here are a few tips to help you create a visually striking yard, one that suits your personality and creates the look that you’ve always wanted.

• Yellow stands out, attracting the eye right away. This colour creates a joyful ambiance.

• Red is a warm colour. It draws the eye and creates a dramatic effect.

• Blue communicates calm and relaxation.

A grouping of blue flowers gives the impression of more space. Careful use of blue in small yards can show confined areas to advantage.

• Oranges are fall tones par excellence.

They create an illusion of warmth and light before the arrival of winter. Even greater warm effects can be achieved by combining orange with yellow or red.

• Green is the colour of life and spring rebirth.

It is said to be the most restful colour for the eyes.

Different tones of green can be the basis of a beautiful yard all on its own.

• White expresses elegance and refinement.

This colour always adds a touch of radiance and freshness to a yard.

on. There are also light fixtures that give different types of light, such as a flattering light for the bathroom, a shadowless light

for the kitchen, a gentle glow in the dining room, as well as mood and indirect lighting for the living room and bedroom.

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2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

PAGE 14

MAY 2013

A buying guide for budding gardeners Unless you’re an expert gardener, you might not find it easy to make the right choices when the time comes to buy plants at a garden centre. There is such a wide variety of vegetable seedlings and annual and perennial decorative plants!

If you don’t have a plant encyclopedia at hand as you browse the greenhouse, you may get lost in the maze of Latin names.

A first piece of advice would be to avoid any plants that don’t look like they’re thriving, as they probably won’t survive the transplantation process. They could also import disease and parasites into your garden.

PERENNIALS Purchase perennials in the spring so they can have all summer to develop. Before bringing home any plants,

be sure to check that the soil in the pot is moist and that there are no weeds or moss on the surface — those are an indication of poor drainage or that the plant has been potted for too long.

SHRUBS Foliage is the first thing to inspect when buying a shrub. Look for good colour, and make sure the branches are evenly distributed and have abundant foliage at the base. Avoid specimens with sparse, long, or unequal growth and with few or no visible buds, as these are a sign that the shrub has lacked water and nutrients during development. Take the shrub out of its pot and check its root system for rotting or parasites.

ROSES Gently shake the main branch of a rose bush to

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ensure it is well rooted. A well-developed specimen will possess strong, evenly distributed branches, with masses of healthy, vigorous

foliage with good colour.

Check for parasites or diseases, such as rust and black spot, as bushes infected with them will never recover.

The best companions for your plants are more plants In horticulture, companion planting consists of placing different plants in proximity so they can assist each other in nutrient uptake and pest control. In the case of edibles, it can sometimes even improve their taste. In the vegetable garden, companion planting has the advantage of maintaining ecosystems; just as in nature, friendly plants are of mutual help and create a balanced and harmonious environment.

The technique is simple.

All you have to do is cultivate those plants which are mutually beneficial side by side and distance those that could be in conflict. Of course, the first step is to learn which plants can be combined and which cannot. You can find specific combination suggestions in many horticultural books, on gardening websites, and at your local garden centre.

Herbs, for example, don’t have to be relegated to a separate patch in the back yard.

By spreading them around between your vegetables, it’s a good bet that they will ward off quite a few pests.

Tarragon and marjoram, for instance, can discourage many harmful insects with their strong scent. This also applies to thyme, which is very effective when placed next to cabbages.

Among other herb-vegetable combinations that can work natural miracles are chamomile and cucumber, parsley and tomato, and mint and pumpkin. There are also some vegetables that rely on other vegetables, or even flowers, in order to flourish to the maximum. That is the case with onions, which keep away carrot flies, and marigolds, which keep insects away from vegetables.

As a general rule, the best companions for your plants are not from the same family — but then again, isn’t that the particularity of all friendships?

MAY 2013

2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

PAGE 15

NOXIOUS WEEDS YELLOW TOADFLAX

SCENTLESS CHAMOMILE

Recognizable features ~ Stem: often several stems forming dense patches, unbranched to few branches in upper stem, hairless, up to 1 m tall. Leaves: alternate to spirally arranged, numerous, attached directly to the stem, hairless, margins smooth or entire, linear, up to 10 cm long. Flowers: resemble snapdragon, bright yellow with yellow-orange throat, up to 3.5 cm long including the spur extending from the base, alternately arranged along terminal ends of stems.

General ~ Perennial that spreads by seed and creeping roots. Commonly confused with leafy spurge when flowers are absent. However, yellow toadflax is easily distinguished by the absence of milky juice in the plant. Also confused with dalmation toadflax, but easily distinguished by the presence of long linear leaves compared to the short broad leaves of dalmation toadflax.

Recognizable features ~ Stem: highly branched, bushy, smooth, up to 1 m tall. Leaves: alternate, very finely divided into thread-like segments, usually hairless. Flowers: white and yellow, daisy-like, solitary at the ends of long branches.

WHAT IS A WEED? According to the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, a weed is “a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.” A gardener, farmer or weed control specialist's answers would range from “a plant of little value” to a “species that competes with crops” to “a troublesome pest that affects the health of livestock and humans.” A weed might best be defined as any plant growing in an area where it is not wanted.

The weeds featured on this page are commonly found in gardens and crops in Central Alberta and can be a gardener’s or farmer’s nightmare. If you are having a problem with noxious weeds on your property, call the County of Stettler at 403-742-4441.

They can assist you with weed identification and control.

WHITE COCKLE Recognizable features ~ Stem: covered in short hairs, upright, swollen t the point where leaves are attached *node), up to 1 m tall. Leaves: opposite, elongate, pointed at the tip, covered in short hairs, smooth leaf margin, up top 10 cm long. Flowers: 5 deeply notched white petals sometimes giving the appearance of 10 petals, 2 kinds of flowers, one with 10 veins on the lower part of the flower (calyx) which is inflated and produces seed (female), one with 20 veins on the calyx which is slender and produces pollen (male).

General ~ Biennial to short lived perennial that spreads by seed. Commonly confused with night flowering catchfly. However, white cockle is easily distinguished as it does not have sticky leaves or stems.

General ~ Annual or winter annual to short lived perennial that spreads by seed (400,000 seeds / plant).

Commonly confused with ox-eye daisy when in flower.

However, scentless chamomile is easily distinguished by the finely divided leaves and bushy growth. Also confused with pineapple weed when flowers are absent.

Although, easily distinguished by the lack of odor when leaves are crushed (“scentless”), while pineapple weed has a distinct fruity odour (“pineapple”).

TALL BUTTERCUP Recognizable features ~ Stem: much branched above, up to 90 cm tall.

Leaves: lower leaves deeply divided into 3 - 5 lobes, upper leaves reduced to 3-4 narrow segments, hairy.

F l o w e r s : y e l l o w, waxy, 5 petals.

General ~ Perennial t h a t s p re a d s by seed.

Contain acrid juice that causes pain and inflammation in grazing animals. Common in wet areas and pastures.

LEAFY SPURGE Recognizable features ~ Stem: thickly clustered, hairless, up to 1 m tall. Leaves: alternate to spirally arranged, numerous, hairless, attached directly to the steam, narrow, margins smooth or entire, up to 7 cm long. Flowers: greenish-yellow, petals and sepals are absent, clustered with 1 female flower surrounded by several male flowers held within a cup-like structure, subtended by 2 green leaf-like bracts.

General ~ Perennial that spreads by seed and creeping roots. Forms dense stands. Commonly confused with cypress spurge.

However, leafy spurge is easily distinguished as the plant is taller and leaves are longer, with less branching in the upper part of the plant.

All plant parts contain a milky juice which can cause skin irritations.

CANADA THISTLE Recognizable features ~ Stem: upright, branching near the top, hollow. Leaves: alternate, slightly clasping the stem, variable, from a smooth margin with no spines to irregularly lobed with sharp spines. Flowers: small white to purple flower clustered into a head resembling single flower, male (round) and female (flask or urn shaped) flowers found on separate plants, position at the ends of branches.

General ~ Perennial that spreads by seed and creeping roots. Feathery hairs (pappus) attached to seeds to aid in short distance dispersal.

E G PAGE 16

2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE

choglen ardens

MAY 2013

Located 2 miles south of Donalda on Red Willow Rd. (Sec. Hwy. 850) – watch for signs –

PLANTS YOU CAN TRUST Providing Quality, Selection & Service in:

•Annuals •Hanging Baskets •Containers •Perennials •Trees •Shrubs •Fruit •Vegetables •Water Plants •Statuary Gifts •Soil Amendments •Bark Mulch Hours

Monday to Thursday 10 am to 6pm Weekends & Holidays - 10am to 5p.m.

Fridays 10am to 8pm Open until October ~ Summer hours apply

APING DESIGN C S D LAN e offer timely results, quality service and plants& SERVICES

W

you can trust. From initial concept & design to installation, a job is not finished, until we know, that you as a client, are 110% behind the end result.

If a few trees or shrubs do not survive the winter season we will replace them for you. After all, at Echoglen Gardens we provide plants you can trust including our No Hassle One Year Warranty. *Some exceptions apply

www.echoglengardens.com

403-883-2849