GARDEN NOTES.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9364, 13 March 1896, Page 6

GARDEN NOTES.

" Weekly Press and Referee," The early autumn is a good time for planting herbaceous Phloxes, care being taken to use only the younger parts of the plants— that is, the outer growths of the stools. The soil should be very rich and deeply worked, the young plan fcplaced firmly in the ground, and kept moist. To ensure success, Phlose3 will require moisture at the root throughout the summer. These plants are also easily increased by cuttings in autumn or spring, using fresh young shoots for the purpose. There are few plants which give a better reward for a little trouble than these herbaceous Phloxes. Much attention has, of late years, been given by British gardeners to the use of various species of Vines as outdoor climbers, the attraction being the beauty of their autumnal tints. One of their admirers' says:—" We all know the richness of a vinery in autumn, the ruddy crimson, bronzy purple, and scarlet leaves, mingled together or seen separately, showing a wealth of colour richer and more lustrous-than a houseful of flowers. Yet with such resplendent colouring the Vine gives place to the Virginian Creeper and many other common things that one tires of from their constant repetition. Ampelopsis and Vitis are now amalgamated, but there is far more beauty in the true Vine than in the Ampelopsis, especially those ragged rampant kinds whose foliage dies off without a sparkle of autumn colouring. For autumn colouring the Californian Vine (V. californica) is unique, its leafage changing to deepest crimson, and the Northern Fox Grape (V. Labrusca) is familiar by name in this choice family. Then we get beauty in some form in the Southern Fox Grape (Vitis vulpina) and superb leaf colouring in Yitis Coignetia), which is one of the newest additions. It has been exhibited a few times, and on each occasion its beauty has compelled admiration. If I were allowed only one Vine I should select this for its handsome broad foliage, which changes to brilliant crimson ere it falls, and creates a garden picture of intense colouring and attractiveness. Japan has given us a noble climber in this Vine. In warm years the Hopleaved Vine (V. heterophylla humulifolia) is covered with a profusion of turquoise-coloured berries. This Vine is best on a wall, where we get a profusion of berries. The variety purpurea of the common Vine has purplecoloured foliage, and Tinturier Grape is as rich as a colony of flowers in its autumn colouring." It is the practice at this season to recommend the sowing of hardy annuals for spring flowering but when this is done in the open ground disappointment of ten follows. Seeds sown in .the open have much to contend with through the months that must elapse ere they gain maturity, hence the safer method is to provide a few boxes in which to sow at all events; a of the seeds. Half a dozen shallow boxes well drained and filled with good sandy soil will be found sufficient to rear a large stock of young plants which will be ready for planting out at favourable opportunities when the worst 6t the winter weather is past. Of course attention must be given to thinning out the young plants in the boxes. Secure cuttings of all plants that strike and winter best in cold frames, lest the young growths get injured by frost. Pot up a. few Lobelias of good strains for propagating in early spring. Take-the plants up with a ball of earth, shade and keep close for a few days until they are re-established. Before potticg cut away all flower stems and straggling roots. Lawns should have close attention in the way of mowing, sweeping, and rolling frequently. Trim edgings to borders, and remove all decayed flower stems and leaves.

A late number of the Gardeners , Chronicle contains descriptions of three new edible fruits, none suitable for market purposes, but all possessing great interest to the amateur fruit fgrower; who considers variety in his limited orchard as of more consequence than the mere production of large quantities of Apples and Pears. The first to be mentioned is only attainable, in Canterbury at least, by the owner of a warm glass house, but, doubtless, our Auckland and Hokianga residents would find it easy of growth. Anona cherimolia is a member of a genus of tropical and semi-tropical-fruit trees, and is a native of Peru, where it is said the natives much e3teem the fruit. The fruit is pear-shaped, with & covering of large scales (not altogether unlike a Pine-apple) of a dark purple colour, and contains a soft sweet mucilage. It is easily raised from seed on a strong bottom heat.

The Kei-apple is a native of Natal, botanically kno«ra as Aberia caffra,. and should certainly prove a hardy plant in sheltered and warm localities in Canterbury. It fruits in the Riviera. The fruit resembles an Apricot in shape and colour; The juice is intensely, acid, bat if the fruit is allowed to become a littts over-ripe, the flavour loses much of its acidity, and develops an aroma which is delicious. It is said to be, on the authority of Professor Rfaeowan, a first-rate jam fruit. The same gentleman recommends it as a hedge plant. It is " a sturdy, stocky, shortjointed grower, and evergreen, and with thorns which grow to 6in long and over, and a perfect terror to evil-doers, be they beasts or humart beings." Any readers, who have friends in Natal could not do better than obtain a packet of Kei-apple seed and give it a fair trial.

The third, and perhapi the most valuable, of the plante described by the Chronicle, )3 a Palm—Cocos australis or Cocos lejospatha, unfortunately a doubt exists as to which of these .names is the correct one—belonging to the geiSus of Palmaces which includes the Cocoa-nut Palm.- ' This is, however, a very hardy plant, bearing fcuit at Genoa, Antibes, and in the Riviera, and resisting a temperature of 15deg. " The fruits are of the size of large Hazel nuts, globular golden yellow, with a pulp, of'a delicious flavour comparable to that of a fine Pine-apple, and suitable for making preserves or even wine." "It is one of the hardiest of all Palms, withstanding unprotected a cold, at which Oranges and Lemons are injured or destroyed." Evidently this Cocos is a plant worthy of cultivation, and which .would both grow and yield fruit as abundantly here as it does in the rather uncertain climate of Genoa.