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Niagara Region.
MEMBERS' GARDENS
Lyall
and Betty Crober
Garden in Niagara-On-The-Lake
The Crober's first rhododendrons were planted at this location in 1971, one year before their house was built. Approximately 35 one foot size seedlings were set out in unprepared soil and watered only occasionally. Water was not available at the site and had to be transported in cans a distance of seven miles. Many plants died the first year due to neglect. Only 3 remain of this original planting, but they have withstood the rigorous test of time and one is now eleven feet tall.
The
site is ideal for growing rhododendrons. Situated in Queenston at the base
of the Niagara Escarpment, there is more than adequate shade from the south
in the summer. In winter, plants receive limited sunlight. Trees and hedges
provide good wind protection and the escarpment shelters from the plants
from the harsh west and north winds. The coldest temperature recorded in
the garden has been -28 degrees C (-18 degrees F). In recent years the
winter lows have been of the order of -15 degrees C to -20 degrees C (5
degrees F to -4 degrees F).
While
the site is climatically ideal for growing rhododendrons, for the most
part, the soil is heavy clay, shallow and rocky. The quality of the soil
varies across the site, and in some areas the plants have done well. To
add insult to injury, there are two large black walnut trees on each side
of this 100 foot wide lot; a butternut is situated in the middle. Naturally
the soil is best where the walnuts have established themselves.
The
lot is about 400 feet deep with the latter half being on a decided slope
at the foot of the escarpment. This is where most of the more than 200
lepidotes and elepidotes are located. In addition there are many evergreens
and deciduous azaleas.
Varieties
that have performed well over the years are Holden, Besse Howells, Sham's
Ruby, Ice Beauty, Ken Janek, Dr. Rock, Mary Yates, Independence Day, Calsap,
Wyandanch Pink, Dora Amateis, Pink Diamond, and several of Weldon Delp's
lepidotes. Atroflo is definitely not bud hardy but Windsor Lad flowers
quite well some years. The garden also contains a wide variety of Lyall's
seedlings and plants provided by Al Smith and other local hybridizers.
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