Evening star., 1942-03-01

especially CnOr0ugn IN our prepara-
ton. Quantities of humus, leaf
mold, compost, manure or any other
material that may be available
should pe deeply worked into the
soil IN generous quantities. Even
the sandy soils, such as we find
in Prince Georges County. need
humus and lots of it if they are
to produce as we would like. The
gardener should consider seriously
if he is ready and willing to ex-
pend this effort and expense before
starting his gardening adventure.
Soils that are acid are best adapt
ed to growing native plants. If
you do not care to correct this con-
dition, and it is readily corrected
through the addition of lime, you
should choose your plants with care.
Many kinds grow best only in an
acid soil, but there are many others
that require a neutral or alkaline
soil. This applies to vegetables, too;
except for potatoes and tomatoes
the vegetable crops do best in a
sweet soil.
However, the soil angle Is the
least important, for practically
every kind of soil can be modified
to meet plant needs. The more
important things are the size, the
exposure, the time available for
gardening and the things that you
like best. Too often. we hear the
expression, MY yard is so shady
that I can't grow flowers" This
is frank admission that the in
dividual is not studying his or her
problem. There are many kinds
of plants, bulbs and shrubs that do
best only in shady situations. The
attempt to grow shade-loving plants
in a hot, dry, sunny situation is
equally unwise. Shade can be pro-
vided after time and loving
plants grown, but it is impracticable
to attempt to grow loving zin-
MAS In any but the very lightest
shade.
Proper Planting
Is Essential.
Even though you grow only our
native wildflowers they will thrive
and give their best only when prop
erly planted and tended. The bet
ter the bed preparation the less
the subsequent care required. Vir-
ginia bluebells are native to this
region and seem to thrive with
little or no care. However, they
thrive best in a sandy. moist soil
that is full of decayed leaves. Try
digging up some, noting the soil
carefully. Does your backyard have
anything that compares with it?
To grow them successfully you
should provide a similar environ
ment. Azaleas thrive in this area,
but some seem more thrifty than
others, why? Azaleas are tolerant
of shade and soil They will grow
under a wide range of conditions.
However, If you would have them
do their very best try planting in
a well-prepared bed, one that con-
tains ample humus and where they
have shade during the midday. The
flowers will be larger and the flow
ering season much longer If you do.
Steep slopes can be an eyesore
or they may be source of pleasure
and enjoyment. One may terrace a
slope and have a series of flower
beds, be it sunny or shady. Or, it
may be planted to lovely creepers,
that will hold the soil, provide color |
and be attractive throughout the
year depending of course upon the
careful selection of plant material
and properly planting 1t. A shady |
slope may be covered with ivy or
with Vinca minor with bulbs for
early spring bloom. If sunny, such |
a bank may be planted to trailing
roses, to honeysuckle, or to dwarf |
shrubs, including the evergreens. |
One might try bulbs and the late
summer-f1owering plumbago Ger
taostigma plumbaginoides), If the
area is not too great.
Controlling
Eaves Drip.
The areas between closely spaced |
houses where the drip from the
caves and the lack of sunlight is
pronounced are probably the most |
difficult for gardening. But even
here the enterprising gardener |
would be able to find ways of land
scaping that are both effective and |
interesting. The caves drip can be
controlled and with good soil such |
plants as the yews (taxus) will give |
all year color. In some instances
such spot may be splendid fern |
cry.
Low moist places may be used as
they are with bog plants or they |
may be improved and lilies grown. |
Water lilies, however, do not thrive
unless they have sunlight a SUBJ
stantial part of each day. There are
a number of bog plants that thrive
and flower in light shade. The
marsh marigold, marsh forget
me-not and others will provide long
season bloom and color. In addition,
there are many kinds of plants such |
as the plantain lilies that thrive in
a shady, moist situation but will
not tolerate standing water. The
japanese iris and the day lilies want
well drained place for their
crowns, in SUM- or shade, and make
their best growth when their roots |
can reach subsurface moisture.
If the gardener will study his or
her particular situation and then
plant the kinds of flowers and |
shrubs that are most at home in
that kind of situation they will
have a reasonable chance of sue
cess. Most yards are a challenge to
the initiative and aggressiveness of
the home owner. We want to have
an attractive yard, one that our
friends will admire. Let's do q bet
ter job Of it this year. 1