THE SHADY SPOT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 May 1939, Page 9

THE SHADY SPOT

CAN PRODUCE BEAUTY. USEFUL TYPES FOR BORDER. While the sunny border offers little difficulty in the choice of plants, there are less favourable positions in most gardens that require forethought, backed by a knowledge of plants. Borders shaded by shrubs, or the narrow bed on the south side of the house must be planted with carefully chosen subjects, if they are not to develop into those uninspiring corners so frequently seen. It is in the shade that white flowers are, perhaps, more valuable, and are seen to the greatest advantage. For this reason some of the white foxgloves should be included. The effect of shade on the flowers of Campanula latiloba is most pleasing, for the violet blue tone appears to be almost azure blue away from the sunlight. In light shade, campanula pyramidalis, in both blue and white forms, will give a good account of itself and it belongs to the true nobility of the genus. An excellent combination for the type of border in mind is provided by the old-fashioned, but beautiful bleeding heart, dielytra spectabilis and polygonatum multiflorum, commonly called Solomon's Seal. The arching sprays of white bellflowers produced by the latter, are in perfect harmony with the graceful sprays of pink and white flowers of the dielytra, which possesses more elegant foliage than most perennials. Another dielytra also suitable is D. eximea. with greyish fernlike foliage. above which bend the sprays of rosy purple flowers. So easy is this plant that it will grow in the dankest and most unkind corner of the garden.