GARDEN NOTES.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14400, 6 July 1912, Page 9

GARDEN NOTES.

r 4 , -~;— (By -Hortps.) ANSWERS TO* CORRESPONDENTS. Wood Ash—Tho ashes and-soot mixed form a valuable food' supply to plants, but moro so when mixed with toil which ia of a heavy' nature. 'In light soils its value is infinitesimal. It is best to use it in tho vegetable garden, where its vaiuo will soon bo noted in the extra growth.' Garden—liegardirip your Dahlia roots, they should bo lifted-nnd stored in a dry shod, or pitted where tho frost and damp* is not likely to affect' them. Tho proper time to plant them out again is in Spring, about October or November.

GENERAL REMARKS.

At tho present timo thero is a lull in this owing to tho frosty weather, which has made tho ground hard and difficult to work. Towards tho end of the month, however, treeplanting will bo carried on vigorously, so that this work jnny be completed before the hot winds of,spring make I their influencefelt. During this month ,-pruning fruit'trees will bo pushed on with, and" after 'pruning the. winter dressing will be taken in hand. It "is doubtful if any advantage is gained, by sowing seeds during this month, except in very ■ favoured spots where tho drainage of tho soil is perfect, and whero the frosts are but lightly felt. Generally speaking,' it is advisablo to wait till* the heat of tho sun increases and tho days lengthen, before seed sowing should bo even started. Much" totter work will bo dono by turning up the soil to tho weather, and if bone dust is to bo used this may be added at this season, and by so doing tho complete combination of tho soil and tho bono manure will liave taken place before tho plants begin to assimilate this added rood. It is early to start pruning roses in districts which are subject to lato spring frosts. In districts which aro free from frosts after tho Ist of October, roses may bo pruned, and tho sooner tho better. Early pruning means much stronger growths than later pruning, but as pointed out in previous notes that whero lato spring frosts mado their presence felt much damage is done to the growths of roses which are forward. By pruning lato tho growths aro later in starting, nnd so escape being damaged.

NEW ZEALAND PLANTS ADMIRED. By tho last mail it is reported that at the London International Exhibition, held in May, some of our Now Zealand plants were exhibited and attracted attention, moro particularly tho newer varieties of tho Leptosperinum, popularly known in Now .Zealand as the manuka. The varieties exhibited were I#eptospermunr Chapmanii, the rosy pink variety named after Mr Jus* tic© Chapman, L. Nicholii, tho- magnifi-' cent crimson variety which was found in the scrub between Cbancy's Corner, and the.sea, and named after -Mr W. Nicholls, of Belfast, and another newvariety named L. i>oscawenii, a white with very red eye and named after tho Rev. Boscawen, of Cornwall, England. . All of tho above were exhibited by tho Rev. Boscawen, and," English enthusiasts report, wero much admired.

THE CRIMSON MANUKA.

AWARDED A 25-GUINEA. CUP. Tho "Daily Chronicle," reporting the show, states "that another cup of tho samo va'ue (25 guineas), was awarded for a half hardy shrub with * brilliant red flowers, from New Zealand, named Leptospermum scoparium 'Nicholii, T shown by the Rev. Boscawen, of Cornwall, whero the species grows' well enough out of doors. ■ This' Leptospermum is the best novelty of tho International Exhibition of 1012."

FLOWERING SHRUBS (continued).

In dealing with the Pyrus family*in the last week's notes, a variety, named P. John-Down'©" was omitted. This plant makes a,striking display:6f wbito flowers in _early v spring, and l , in the, autumn tho branches aro laden with glorified crab-apples of a brilliant led colour. This fruit is .valuable for jelly.' ' purposes/ and is of high quality. There ~ are a few specimens of this plantain Canterbury, which yearly make a great - display, both in spring and autumn. Tho Spartium Junoeum, or Spanish' broom, is a conspicuous shrub during the .summer. Its deep golden yellow ' - flowers, borne in great abundance, add much to "the furnishing of tho garden. '' It does very, well in warm, dry situa- ... tions. ■' "■. ' "".' '- The Spiraea family includes 6omei'ji£-'-*. the very best-of-the smaller flowering f ' shrubs. The flowers of nearly, all* of' this family are white, ono or two.pink, - and a few reds. S. Confusa forms a„- -*» bushy plant, and in spring is a mass of '- * flowers from top to base. S. Thnnbergii . is also free-flowering, but with a difr ferent type of growth. ■ The flowers aro , )? borne right along the branches, and aro" *7 of a very loose and sprayey character, ..'<-. and for house or tablo decoration ar» '.J warmly recommended. In the. autumn';. ,? the foliage is charmingly pretty, - the ", 1 colouring at- times being very' ;;• The foliage is very small and dainty. >"," Another variety which takes on bright.. colours in the autumn' is S. Pruhifolia. * i ; Tho growth is developed'in long isprays, ;,-*-' and the foliage turns from bright of ango" ";• to an intense red. Tho flowers in spring ,- ■ form the whole length of • tho' --: branches. For .cutting for vases, etc., it lends itself with delightful effects.," A new variety, S. Arguta, is ono of the' very sweetest of this family of plants. -"' Tho flowers, which are small, are borno in great profusion, giving tho -plant a' •, .'; snowy effect. This variety is.- moro compact in growth than many, bat not. -"• formal in character. There- aro 4 a few .* fine specimens in two or three gardens ,in and around Christchurch. '' ■ * The Sty rax Japonica is ono of tho most interesting of 'spring flowering shrubs. The flowers are pure."white ana ' hang below tho branches, and because' of this character does not show its * beauty till it has developed to "a good "' size. One of the best plants in Cantor;bury.:is growing in, Mr. J.- C; JJelrhoro's garden, Fendalton. Yearly it. makes a fino display, and those who seq it adhiirc it much. The Swainsonia family - ,ero natives of Australia,'-and aro,popular with quite a number of flower lovers. When frosts aro sever© ~tho % ybnng growths suffer, and the plants areliablo to bo-cnt back to tho. ground. - In-the-spring, howover, they start again,''andby midsummer and during autumn aro in full bloom. The flowers,are borno' on spikes, and aro pea-shaped. Some . aro crimson, others pink, and ono a white, tho last considered to ho- tho best. - Tho Syringes or Lilacs have, always been .popular, and .are more'so since. the hybridist has developed the raagnificent varieties that aro now in .commerce. The new whites aro most iij demand ; some of these develop immense spikes of beautiful bloom. Tho j doubles are very popular with some. Among the newer kinds, reds, purples,. '- and claret colours are very fino, and ' when _better known will" be freely planted. The Tamerix include somo i new varieties' which,aro dwarf-grow-ing, and because of this may be planted * in smaller borders. One or two kinds are suitable for sea side planting, and " will grow freely in puro sand. • Tho. " ■ Veronicas (nearly all natives of ..New' Zealand) are invaluable- for furnishing banks and borders, and a number mako . excellent rock plants. A collection of flowering shrubs would not be completo without some of the A 7 ibernums, which include tho J_.urestinas and tho Guelder Rose. Some of tho newer - and scarcer kinds, however, should bo considered, such as V. Plicatum, which is an improved Tdfteoty of the Guelder Rose. V. during tho ' winter bunches'-'jaf coral red berries, which are highly decorative for tables " or vases. This variety, however, is slightly tender, and in frosty places'" does not fruit well.-' ' ';