FLOWER GARDEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 279, 24 November 1899, Page 3

FLOWER GARDEN.

Moist weather at the beginning of the week has given a good start to all plants which were recently planted. Those annuals and perennials which were planted during the winter and early spring have now made fine, handsome plants, and promise a grand display of flowers later. All that is wanted now is a few warm, bright sunny days, and then the flowers will begin to show tip. ■Continue planting out all tender plants ssuch as phlox drummondia, iJetunias, cockscombs, zinnias, pontulaca etc. These, if planted or sown now, will have plenty of time to get established- and give abundant flowers towards January. All coloured foliage bedding plants should be out in their summer quarters. See that they are planted close together, so that they may rapidly fill up the spaces allotted them. All blanks in the beds or borders should, if possible be filled up before the end of this month, so as to get the plants well established before the dry weather sets in- _ , ... , . Chrysanthemums and dahlias ought to be'planted now, so as to get them established without having resort to the watering pot. Eoses are now flowering abundantly. Liquid manure should be frequently o-iven them, so as to help the later flowers. As soon as a flower is spent, it should be nipped off to prevent the maturing of seed pods. Gladioli are now beginning to show flowers in profusion. The flower spikes Should be staked and tied, so as to prevent them being broken with strong winds. In the. mixed borders many of the plants, consequent on the i moisture, are now growing too strongly. Where such is the case they should be gone over, and shoots encroaching on other plants cut out or regulated. > ' Camellias are still growing, and if the plants were given a little liquid ; manure it would greatly assist in the : production of strong .healthy flower buds and consequently good flowers next'winter. The same remarks will apply to the rhododendron and azalea. The soil in the. beds and border should be kept as free and open as possible, ifor the more air which permeates it : now will be to the fufure benefit of the ; plants. i Lawns.—This has been a troubie- ! some season for grass, as it has grown ■ strong and luxuriant. Still, if the place

i !is to be kept tidy it will require to be, j cut frequently. It ought, also to be j rolled occasionally.