Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/130547
home + garden » expert advice ask the experts... PRO PICK Find a sophisticated space for your favourite bottles with Umbra's stacking wine rack, Napa. illuminate your condo, create a front entrance with tropical flair, take the guesswork out of rug selection, demystify sofa styles, find an evergreen made for the shade, suggest mass plantings for high impact and come up In this issue our experts reveal the best way to with gardening projects that your children will dig { Q } My townhouse is north facing and most of my shrubs look sparse and sick. Could you suggest a good evergreen for such deep shade, one that will thrive and remain full? Dave Demers answers: In my opinion, the most difficult area of the garden to plant successfully is indeed the one deprived of natural light. Behind our cherished evergreens or between high buildings, "deep shade" usually forces plants to grow weak and stretchy with diminished foliage and flowers, if any. One of the rare exceptions is the sawtoothed Japanese aucuba (Aucuba japonica 'Serratifolia'). With beautiful leathery, shiny and dark-green foliage, this aucuba has the surprising capacity to form branches from the very base ensuring a full canopy in a variety of conditions. Moreover, it can also be easily pruned. This all-green aucuba is a top-notch choice and I heartily recommend it! PHOTO (portrait) Gaile Guevara Q Our new condo has unattractive track lighting in both the kitchen and living room. What are alternatives that provide enough light without looking industrial? JENNY MARTIN answers: One option is to use a "retro-fit" pot light. They are installed from below – into the same hole made by the junction box from the track light – and won't disturb the drywall on the ceiling. This is great for over the fireplace if a directional trim is used, that way you can highlight your artwork. You could also replace it with a single monopoint (spotlight). In the kitchen, ask your electrician to split the track lighting into three junction boxes for pendants over your island. If the track is in the centre of the ceiling, an attractive ceiling mount or semi-flush fixture is a vast improvement. 54 | BC HOME & garden June 2013 p54-57_AskTheExperts.indd 54 13-05-01 4:20 PM