SUMMER PLANTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 29, 14 November 1939, Page 4

SUMMER PLANTING.

THE ASHBURTON DOMAIN. £ RAIN URGENTLY NEEDED. Summer planting work is now undei way in the Domain and in the smaller reserves of Ashburton. Conditions foi planting out are not favourable at present on account of the long dry spell, and the ground lias to be well drenched before the work can be completed successfully. The ribbon border near the band rotunda, which has been one of the highlights of the Domain lately, is being prepared for planting out with flox Drummondi and zinnias. It is anticipated that these will make a show quite as effective as the recent display of spring flowers. Several beds near the waterwheel will shortly be put down in charm dahlias, interplanted with other annuals in contrasting colours. The circular plot near the bowling green and which last year contained dahlias will have a change this season. Nemesia liaye already been put in there and before long these will be interplanted with flox and zinnias. This corner of the Domain should present a colourful sight during the next few months, for besides effective displays in the circular plot and the nearby rose gardens, the borders round the howling green will make a fine show. These are now being made ready for summer planting. The polyanthus primroses which surrounded the green last year have been naturalised on the banks of the top lake among the daffodils. . ' Tho rose beds, always one of the greatest attractions in the Domain, give premise of being up to usual standard, although the dry weather has belated the flowering. Tho beds are now blooming with multi-coloured nemesia, while the area has been further improved with the laying down of a path of crazy paving in the centre of the plots. The border of roses near the Ashburton tennis courts is now showing colour and should be at its best next month. The plants for this long plot were acquired after a public appeal which was so successful that over 1500 roses of many types' were obtained. The border of peonies on the other side of the courts is making a good showing at present. It is almost impossible to do any planting out at present unless the ground is thoroughly drenched, said the Curator (Mr D. H. Leigh) this morning. The ground was dry eyen ■three feet down. Lawns are drying out in all parts of the Domain and in order to encourage growth the grass has been left fairly long. The strong winds last week did little damage in the Domain, for the big trees were pruned last winter. This saved loose pieces of wood damaging the branches.

The wallflowers which made such an attractive sight in the centre plot in Baring .Square Bast were more or less killed off by the north-west wind, and were dug up yesterday. These beds will be planted with large-flowered verbena, which will bloom for the greater part of the summer.