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QC02142013

44 THE QUEENS COURIER • FEBRUARY 14, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com View our videos! Now, not only can you go to QueensCourier.com for locals news and photos, but you can also check out our Videos page! Plant of the Month: Snowdrops BY SHARI ROMAR How could I have missed Snowdrops for so long? Thankfully, I’ve learned that I’m not alone in this embarrassing predicament, and now hope to enlighten you, dear reader, to the subtle charms of these small plants that bring hope just as we think spring will never arrive, no matter what any groundhog predicts. Charming botanical sprites, Snowdrops emerge just as the winter doldrums reach their pinnacle. Peeking up through mulch, the woodland fl oor, or even snow, the plant’s white, bell-shaped fl owers measuring about 1” long sit atop equally diminutive stems of 2 ½ to less than 6” tall. They brighten the gray winter days starting in January and lasting into April. Botanically speaking, the fl ower does not have petals but actually sports six tepals, with three inside tepals punctuated by a light green crescent near the tip, and encircled by three slightly longer outer tepals. Along with the blooms, Snowdrops have two or three narrow leaves that shine in the most perfect shade of green. Native to a wide range in Europe, from Spain to the Ukraine and exceptionally popular in the United Kingdom, the most commonly planted in our area is Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and its cultivars, though other species are also garden favorites like the Giant Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) – very similar in look but reaching heights up to 10”. Take a winter walk and look for Snowdrops in many of our area’s green spaces including the Woodland & Wetland Garden and other locations at Queens Botanical Garden. For those like me who are late bloomers in knowing about these early bloomers, take the advice of landscape designer Margaret Fox-Jackson of Fox- Jackson Designs. “Whenever I plant this lesser-known harbinger of spring for clients, I always be sure to plant them some place between their car parking spot and the front door as they bloom early and would likely be missed otherwise.” Happy in full sun to part shade, Snowdrops also look terrifi c in rock gardens and make beautiful fl oral carpets when naturalized in wooded spots of the garden. Plant bulbs in swaths for the maximum effect in welldrained soil in the autumn. Bulbs should be placed approximately 2 to 3” deep and the same distance apart, and fi nished off with a light covering of mulch. Shari Romar is the New Media Manager at Queens Botanical Garden. She is active at her community garden and maintains two websites BirdsBugsBuds.com and NYCNatureNews.com. General Dentistry • Dental Implants • Non Invasive Laser Periodontal Surgery BELL BLVD. DENTAL, P.C. Advanced Center For Laser & Implant Dentistry Diplomat of American Board of Periodontology Harvard Trained Periodontist Complimentary Meet Dr. Song Exam, Panoramic X-rays & Consultation Not valid with any other offer. $150 OFF Each Dental Implant Not valid with any other offer. Dental Laser Gum Surgery Available Here What is LANAP? Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure Laser is a gentle, conservative and non-invasive alternative to the old-fashioned non-laser cut and suture method. Utilizing a Dental Laser (that kills up to 99% of the bacteria) without having to significantly excise or eliminate gum tissue, has revolutionized periodontal treatment. NO FEAR NO CUTTING NO STITCHES NO PAIN Dr. Song is one of the few dentists in the United States fully qualified in LANAP, one of two in Queens! 46-01 Bell Boulevard • Bayside •718.281.2222 www.lanapny.com MOST INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED USE YOUR DENTAL INSURANCE BEFORE IT EXPIRES! LASER GUM SURGERY


QC02142013
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