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ORNAMENTAL
LILACS -- GARDEN NOTES
By Gerry Fichtemann
Lilacs are rated as ornamental shrubs for use on the prairies.
Their blooming season can be extended by several weeks through
the use of late flowering varieties. The lilac collection at the
Experimenta1 and Research station at Morden, Manitoba has over
300 varieties of these.
Preston Lilacs are named after the late Isabella Preston, a well
known Canadian plant breeder with the Central Experimental Station
in Ottawa. Some of the most popular lilacs of the Preston series
that are superb for the prairies include Royalty, Minuet, Miss
Canada, James McFarlane, Donald Wyman and Coral.
The Late Dr. F. L. Skinner of Dropmore, Man., who has an international
reputation as a prairie plant breeder, commenced his work with
this group of lilacs about the same time as Miss Preston, and
among his introductions -Hiawatha, Pocahontas, and Helen are outstanding
in their performance under prairie conditions.
These late flowering lilacs are all NON-SUCKERING and range from
white through pink and magenta to royal purple. The flowers are
in 1arke) showy spikes. Their height can range anywhere from 7
to 10 feet.
Another ornamental lilac is the JAPANESE TREE LILAC which can
reach 15 to 20 feet in height. These trees are covered with huge
spikes of creamy white flowers.
The Dwarf Korean 1i1acs also known as 'Little-Leaf' are very popular
here on the prairies. These lilacs are called Miniature; however
they are about 5 ft. tall and 5 ft. wide. These lilacs are probably
the most fragrant lilacs filling a large area with their wonderful
perfume. Their flowers are also miniature violet pink. When not
in bloom they are a splendid specimen as the plant is ball shaped
with tiny leaves about the size of your fingernail.
A new dwarf lilac is on the market called TINKERBELLE. This plant
has wine-red buds opening to a deep pink with a high degree of
fragrance. Their height is about the same as the Dwarf Korean.
The lilacs definitely to stay away from are the French Lilacs.
These should not be used as they are very bad for suckering. Another
main reason is that they are in blossom way to early for the prairies.
The blossom buds usually freeze which means that they will not
bloom with the exception of every 5 years or so. Leave these in
the store for people who don't know better!
Gerry Fichtemann is the owner of River Bend Nursery.
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In Focus
Have you heard about "Take Back your Time Day"?
Cornell University is worried about the effects that "frenetic
schedules, hurried children, couples with no time together, families
that rarely eat meals together and the onslaught of email, junk
mail and telemarketing calls" are having on our society.
Therefore, they have begun promoting October 24th as a day to
slow down and do the important things rather than the urgent things.
Someone once said, "I need a 'Stop doing' list at least as
much as I need a 'to do' list". Maybe you feel the same way.
We live in a very busy time. Evenings are filled with soccer,
ball, golfing and other activities. Weekends see people racing
out to their cabins or pulling their trailers up and down the
highway so that they can "relax". If you discount the
time spent sleeping, many people, especially in larger centers,
spend more time in their cars than they do in their homes. We
are a group of people who are on the move.
Now, this is not all bad. You have to work to provided for your
family. It is also a good thing to expose your children to as
many experiences as possible. However, it can become too much!
Sometimes in our effort to provide everything, we forget to provide
the most important things. That is what I was thinking this past
week as I read Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter through the narrow
gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to
destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate
and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it".
Maybe the "narrow way" is not narrow because it is "restricted"
and no fun (as some seem to think). Maybe it is "narrow"
because it is focused!
Jesus says that life, both now and later, is found by living in
a way that is directed, focused and centered on something other
than ourselves. I first saw Wheel of Fortune in 1990; I liked
it then and I like it now. Over the years I've continued to watch
it and since that initial viewing some things have become routine.
For example, in the first few seconds of the program I choose
the contestant I want to win. I admit the criterion is hazy and
mostly based on where they live, their occupation and the way
they smile…in no particular order. Although their appearances
are rare, Canadian writers automatically rank highest.
Then, there's the final bonus spin and I freely admit I'm antsy
when the illustrious Vanna starts uncovering letters. "How
do they expect her/him to figure that out with so few letters?"
I sputter, fuming in frustration. Only a win against impossible
odds lifts my competitive spirits.
If there is one thing that never fails to irk me, however, it's
the screeching sounds of "Big money! Big money!" After
all, can't people just play the game without emitting such earsplitting
sounds of greed?"
Although an armchair expert, I'll never hit the game circuit.
From the comfort of the sofa, however, it's easy to win and as
for commenting on the lure of big bucks or the stress-filled seconds
allotted to win the big prize, there's nothing to it. To top it
off, a mere click of the remote and the pain of loss is gone.
In real life we often face situations where few of the "letters"
are filled in, the solutions seem impossible, and neither understanding
nor the rewards of faithfulness are meted out in 20 glitzy minutes.
Accepting Christ's salvation brings the eternal promise of a glorious
hereafter; daily trusting His love, the reassurance of His immediate
presence.
"Lo I am with you always…to the end of the age"
(Matthew 28:20)
Talk about being winners!
Maybe the best way to "Take Back your Day" is to give
it to God!
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