'There is lately a Flower (shall I call it so? In courtesie I will tearme it so, though it deserves not the appellation) a Toolip which hath engrafted the love and affections of most people unto it; and what is this Toolip? A well complexion'd stink, an ill favour wrapt up in pleasant colours.' Thomas Fuller 1655.

Tulips still fill the viewer with wonder. The mass fields of market cut flowers blooming in the Skagit Valley or out in the Fraser Valley attract bus loads of visitors at this time of year and Holland continues to reap tourist dollars as visitors to the public gardens enjoy the rivers of colour as these bulbs and their less famous companions welcome spring. Unfortunately I have difficulty growing these bulbs for more than a year or two. The squirrels love to dig them up and I really don't have enough sunny spots for the bulbs to store up enough energy for flowers in succeeding seasons. I now resort to container plantings of tulips to satisfy my craving for the shiny blooms. I especially enjoy looking into the heart of these flowers to view the stamens which usually contrast vividly with the petal colour. Today the variety of form, size and colour would amaze those early affectionados. This year I planted some simple creamy tulips in a shallow planter and sprinkled lettuce seeds on top of the soil. I have just taken them out of the sunroom to add some colour to my patio. Soon the greens will enhance our salads and when the tulip leaves die back I'll add the bulbs to the garden. The smaller bulbs, grape hyacinths, snowdrops, crocus, for example, seem to naturalize more readily in my clay based soil so I rely on them to give the garden its first shot of glory in the spring.

This year the whole yard is clothed in moss. Trees, lawn and even the flower beds have sprung forth with this velvety coat. I know that it can be an endless battle to fight this free loader in one's garden so I'll just pull it out of the flower beds and try to peel some of it off the shrubs and trees. A good sprinkling of pelleted lime over everything will help the other plants survive the invasion. Long ago I opted to turn parts of the lawn over to this natural growth. Since my yard has a bit of an oriental theme, this decision was a natural choice. It took a few years to get some of the grass out of the areas but now much of the lawn area is 90% moss. I'm hoping to reach the full moss stage soon Mowing the grass still in the lawn is very difficult.it is like pushing the mower through bread dough.a real workout. In Japan they actually cut the stray blades of grass with scissors and on their hands and knees! Is it any wonder they don't have big gardens and everything is in miniature!

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After our speaker on bonsai, I mentioned that trying topiary in your garden is a more inexpensive and faster ways to try your skills in this area. I have two junipers in the front yard that were originally just huge spreading shrubs. I was going to have them removed but instead I thought I would try to trim them back. A neighbour with a power saw cut out about half of the branches and I started to prune the remainder. For the first couple of years I was disappointed. Some branches died and others headed off in different directions. But as time has gone on I have found that the stripped inner branches have a lovely weathered look. It is becoming easier to shape and manage the growth. Twice a year I try to shape the ends of the branches into cloud-like shapes, trimming the bottoms and rounding the edges. I can, now, lop off large sections without making the whole thing look scalped. It is an agreeable task on a sunny day.

Another nice chore at this season is taking cuttings for geraniums and fuchias. I usually cut back my old plants and just push the cutting into potting soil and water them in well. Sometimes I dust the ends with rooting compound first but I have also had good result without helps to prevent rot at the tip.

If you receive lilies, hydrangeas, azaleas or other flowering plants for Easter move them outdoors gradually and by the end of April you should be able to plant them into your beds. Azaleas may not survive in this climate. I have tried to get them to over-winter outdoors but have only managed during mild winters. It is best to keep them in their pots and bring them indoors in the fall. Most other Easter plants will grow in the garden if you provide a good mulch the first year. This spring I have many hyacinths that I potted up after Christmas. They have provided weeks of beauty and scents to the family room. They are easy to force inside and will grow year-after-year in the beds. They are my "new tulips". I am as in 'amour' with them as the Dutch were with their tulips.

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Treasurer's Report: Memberships are still coming in. The membership list will be available shortly.

Correspondence: Carol received an e-mail from the Treasurer of the B.C. Council of Gardeners regarding the Lion's Bay Garden Bonanza to be held on May 3rd. He is looking for experts to join him at his table there. in Squamish was received by Carol and has been forwarded to members. She encouraged follow-up by members.

An e-mail was received from Kimberley Armour requesting participation in two short online surveys.

An invitation was received from the Friends of the Garden of Park and Tilford Shops and Gardens to their Spring Plant Sale on April 26th from 10-1.

Website: Carol said that Dave Colwell does so much for the Club, and that his hard work should be appreciated.

Newsletter: Ellen Grant asked that input this month be received by March 25th.

Carol said that the Club should also express their appreciation for Ellen's input into the Newsletter, and to Beth Fitzpatrick for her History of the Club.

Programme: Nairn Stewart reported that the April speaker will be Ingrid Hoff.

The meeting will likely not be at the Railway Heritage Park this year Plant Exchange to take place at 6:30 before the meeting.

The May meeting will be on the 12th at the Howe Sound Inn. The speaker will be Carolyn Herriot, author of "A Year on the Garden Path". She writes for Gardenwise and has appeared on television and radio. Her interest is in "food for the future" and organic gardening. She will bring copies of her book for sale.

Information will be forthcoming about outings for the Spring or Fall.

The September speaker will be Brad Jalbert, from Select Roses; in October a representative from a stone-scaping business in Squamish will speak on the use of stone in gardens.

Refreshments: Phyllis Carter and Patsy Riecker were thanked for their contributions.

Other Business: Carol will let members know when weeding at the library will take place. Meanwhile members are encouraged to do a little weeding when they can.

Nairn then introduced the evening's speaker, Justine Billon, who has worked for the Garden Centre on Mamquam Road, and her topic was Landscape Design, Installation and Maintenance. As her employment by the Garden Centre is new, mechanisms concerning her role have still to be worked out. She will offer on-site consultations and charge by the hour. She can be reached at 604 815-8435.

Justine provided the members with extensive notes, which are summarised below.

The beginning steps of landscape design are Site Analysis (comprising slope and topography; drainage ; soil type; exposures - in Squamish we are Zone 6B; existing plant material; views; natural features and off-site factors), and Inventory (including entertaining; children, pets, allergies, themes, irrigation, lifestyle, services and budget).

The Principles of Design (form, colour and texture) are aimed at creating unity and harmony in the garden. A balance between simplicity and variety is sought. Different forms (curvilinear, rectangular or angular) create different emotions and balance (e.g., formal vs. informal). Focal points can be introduced, and sequences of vegetation, or flowering time can be utilised.

When renovating a garden it is important to have a plan and to decide on the desired style of landscaping. It is also important to have the right plant in the right location. Plants can be chosen in terms of form, colour and/or texture. It is also important to decide in advance the ultimate size of trees planted.

Justine also provided an example of a Site Analysis Checklist.

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Mix flour and sugar, add salt and cream. Stir well.

Put fruit into 9 inch uncooked pie shell, pour over the flour, sugar, salt and cream mix..cook

Ingredients: