THE KOWHAI

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21284, 2 October 1934, Page 11

THE KOWHAI

WIDKK LSK IN I ANTKUBt KY AI)VOCATKI> Although the Ci.mtwj - l>ni - \- llortJeultuval Society did not support the proposal mode in Wellington thai the kowhai should be recognised as '.he Dominion's national flower. ■ llicials of the society agree that i! should be grown in Canterbury much more extensively than it is. Mr U. h. Darton, the .secretin';., said yesterday that while there was a good deal of kowhai to be seen ;n Canterbury its virtues should commend it. to every person interested in flowers. Mid trees. In th•-_• Jirst place it was very easy to grow from seed, was pori'-.'Clly hardy, anJ an evergreen, so that if presented to the gardener none of the problems of deciduous trees. I'ts flowering season was ironi two to three weeks, anil with its ot flowers ranging in colour from deep yellow to russet it was a delight. The foliage also was beautiful, ami the conformation of the tree graceful ;u:d distinctive. As there were several species varying from dwarf bushes to full-sized trees it was not difficult to select suitable types for any garden. Mr Darton added that a good deal of kowhai was grown on the Cashmere Hills, where it was now a glorious sight. It also caught the eye on the road to Hanmer. Mr Darton said he had advocated its use on roadsides :ii the citv.