DELPHINIUMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 189, 12 August 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

DELPHINIUMS.

MARVELLOUS SHADES OF BLUE.

Tho delphinium will succeed in any j good garden soil, but prefers a deep! moist loam, cnriclied with decayed' manure. One essential is that it must. be well drained, and another that in hot dry weather it must not dry out. Planted firmly but not too deeply, care, being exercised to keep the crowns well above the surface of the soil, delphiniums grow freely and soon form large clumps. When planting they should be allowed ample room for development, two feet between the clumps being none too much space. A mulching of rotten manure applied in the spring will be considerable assistance in tho production of good flower spikes. Flowering commences early in December, and the spikes must be supported by neat stakes. Tho flowers will last several weeks, and when they show signs of withering, cutting off tho central spikes will cause side shoots to develop and so considerably prolong the flowering season. Tho spikes last well in a cut state. The plants are of variable pizc, some producing their spikes to ahe i-lit of live or six feet, or even more, while" others form dwarf compact plants. This, of course, must determine their position in the herbaceous border. The following list contains some of tho best varieties: Amos Perry, sky-blue, with dark eye; Blue- Boy, single, Oft; Beauty of Langport, cream white, with yellow eye; Belladonna, bright blue, with cream centre; Persimmon, sky-blue, white eye; Sultan, very deep blue, double; Murillo, mauve; Fan tome d'Orient, bright blue, white eye, semi-double; Queen Mary, palo blue, cream centre; Bassanio, violet shaded plum, white eye; Smoke of War, seini-doublc, reddish purple, black eye; The Alake, rich purple; Ustanc, light blue, mauvo centre; the Rev. E. Ijascelles, very deep blue, white eye. The following species arc both interesting and beautiful, and can bo relied upon, to come fairly true from seed: Cardinale, bright scarlet; formosum, deep blue, fine for cuttings; nudicaulc, orange scarlet, dwarf; and sulphurcum, yellow. CLEANING VINE RODS. Loose bark on vines can harbour innumerable insect pests, therefore it should bo rubbed off, but no attempt should be marie to scrape away any that is not quito loose. Fay especial attention to the spurs, but be careful not to damage tho buds. After cleaning off this looso bark the rods should _be washed with some cleansing solution. Tho wash mostly used is a strong solution of Gishurst compound.