ROMNEYA COULTERI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1937, Page 6 (Supplement)

ROMNEYA COULTERI.

This extremely handsome bush poppy when seen at its best stand* without a peer in the garden. Its large single white blossoms, considerably exceeding six inclK.s in dlaKiCtur, and the crepelike petals of snow purity, set off by the central boss of golden stamens are the embodiment of loveliness, while they possess the additional charm of delicious fragrance. 'Well-grown plants will form immense bushcK bearing hundreds of flowers. It must, however, be admitted that this beautiful plant has an unfortunate habit of occasionally dying on" when apparently well established. Apparently this is due to a bacterial disease somewhat similar to that which fakes o(T the Iceland and other poppies, the Pomneys belonging to this order. In happy contrast to these unaccountable diseases many specimens exhibit the most vigorous health, their cool coloured glaucous foliage being liberallv set with expanded blooms and plump buds in due eeason. fireater vigour is maintained by cutting back the old shoote as soon as growth commences in spring. U. coulteri is very inpatient of root disturbance and plants shifted from one part of the garden to another almost invariably die. Young plants are also often lost in shifting them from the peed pen to small pots. Tor this reason it is well to sow the seeds direct in little pots in which one seedling only should be allowed to grow, so that the ball of soil and roots may be shifted entire when a move is necessary. The peede often take a long time to germinate, and in a certain case ten months elapsed beftire any sign of growth appeared. It is also necessary to have perfect drainage, nnythinir approaching damp or sour soil is fatal. The Hornncya, lieiii;.' a native of California cannot be considered absolutely hardy, though it is rarely injured duriii" -flic winter. The best protection is to "cover the roots with aslics. coconut fibre or better still, pine needles, the latter keeping the roots warm, but never becoming saturated with moisture. should receive copious supplies of water. The best method of propagating the Konincya is by root cuttings.