Garden Notes N.Z.’s RICH FLORA OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY GARDENERS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28481, 10 January 1958, Page 7

Garden Notes N.Z.’s RICH FLORA OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY GARDENERS

(Specially written tor " The Press “1

(Bp

T. D. LENNIE,

A.H.R.1.H., NJS.I

Friday, January 10, 1958 Because New Zealand is so long from north to south, the climate is unusualy varied for such an area, and a rich flora is one of the results. In the north of the North Island there are almost tropical plants and in parts of Southland, sub-Antarctic plants. Between these extremes are many distinctive plants, each reflecting its most favoured climate.

It is, therefore, a country of promise to botanists, and from the first visit of Captain Cook almost 200 years ago, the fact has been emphasised. Yet do we fully realise and make use of the treasures in plant life that the country gives us? lam afraid we do not and when it conies to garden planning we make use of exotic plants instead of our own natives. It is conceded that our forests are sombre, that we have so little of bold foliage trees and that bright flowers are in a minority. In spite of this, more use could be made of the good things we have. The cabbage tree, the kowhai, the kauri, flax and manukas are specially New Zealand and will never lose favour with us for a bold landscape effect. There are many others that should find a more conspicuous place in our gardens. The brilliant crimson ironwood, dodonea viscose purpurear, the variegated broadleaf, the yellow lemonwood, Pittosporum eugenoides, are worth a place in any garden for their colouring. When it comes to flowering plants, the selection is even more varied. Take the manukas for instance, just now making a good show in the gullies through the country, though only the white form is common. Overseas, they rave about the red hybrids and few shrubs are prettier with the double reds of outstanding merit. We make good use of the Veronica family for clothing hoi banks and find them beautiful in flower;, and of the northern rata. Metrosiderus tomentosa tor seaside planting; and the New Zealand cherry, Hokeria and Gaya Lyalll for street effect. But we do not often see the brilliant blue Chatham Island forgetmenot, the distinctive white bush clemais or the representatives of the many fine berrying plants of southern districts.

I am Inspired to write this through the pnvilige of a holiday visit to Banks Peninsula where at Church Bay Mr Oliver Hunter has presented as a national reserve an area of 20 acres including a gully in which a wonderful variety of. good things could be grown in addition to the fine assortment it grows at present. This is a magnificent legacy to perpetuate our native flora and brings back some of the native birds once common to the district FLOWER GARDEN Most people will be now back to work and anxious, to repair holiday omissions—weeding. 4awu cutting and trimming, and reviving plants battered by New Year storms and rain. It is certain that watering will not be one of them, but if previous advice to stake tall growers was not taken, some damage will have been done. Gaps on the borders can be filled by planting antirrhinums, asters, salvias, marigolds, zinnias, petunias, ageratum. or Iceland poppy. All these can be expected to make a good show before winter. Seed sowing is attractive in that it provides a ready and ample stock of plants for a good show next spring and summer Pansy, viola, carnation, poppy, polyanthus, and hollyhock are some perennials worthy of attention. All can be sown in selectee positions in the back garden. Liquid manure has manifold advantages during the growing season. The best time to apply it is just prior to flowering or fruiting Gladioli, dahlias, and carnations will show results from a weekly watering. The liquid manure can be economically made from farm manure, fish manure, or artificial fertilisers.

Many of these are simple in action and can be applied as plant pills or in powder form around the plants. Mildew will be apparent on the young foliage of roses, and as the second flowering is about due, this harmful and disfiguring blight should be controlled by a spray. Bordeaux or cosan. Another trouble to roses, especially where grown in a hot. dry soil without adequate watering, is black spot This weakens the plant and often the leaves yellow and drop off. A good watering is here necessary. It is to be hoped that some trimming of spring flowering shrubs—brooms and Forsythia—has been done where these need it VEGETABLE GARDEN Prompt attention shoußi be

given to the planting of winter supplies. Where ground space is limited, the selection may be confined to savoys and leeks, but for larger gardens the addition of broccoli, curled kale, red and drumhead cabbage, and brussels sprouts, should be considered. Do not crowd these plants. Broccoli and sprouts will be there for six months and should be 24ft apart in the rows. Leeks are also a staple winter necessity and now is planting time. Like celery these need a rich soil.

Celery Is easily grown where good supplies of manure or compost are available for the trench. The casual gardener will get best results from white illume or golden self-blanching celery, both being moderate growers. For the production of large heads, Cole's solid white or large red is best. Celery needs ample watering during the growing season. Tomatoes are growing well and should be tied up. Stem shoots should be pinched out. The plant cannot be regarded as a free setter of fruit, but pollination can be helped a lot by hand work, using a small, soft brush or a bit of fur, brushing from flower to flower. There is also a hormone fruit setter which, sprayed on, has dotie good service. One other internal troubleblotchy ripening—is common also. This trouble can be minimised to a great extent by ensuring a potash supply to the plants. Not much is needed, so that a weekly watering of sulphate of potash at one ounce to the gallon of water is advised as a precaution. And if you add one ounce of sulphate of ammonia to the wafer, the planta will be put on the right track. Put out a few lettuce plants and sow seed of ■ all saladings. They will be wanted later. Keep the sprinkler going over the carrot and onion rows, while sweet corn and beans should also be given a syringing now and then. Pinch the ends of marrow or pumpkin runners that are getting unbalanced, or the other growths will get less than their share of nourishment There is still time to sow a row of peas to finish the season, but let it be an early dwarf sort, such as English Wonder. Blue Bantam or Massey. FRUIT GARDEN The black pear slug will soon be infesting pear, plum, cherry, and quince trees. It does harm by stripping off the green leaf covering. Be prepared by spraying these trees with wettable D.D.T. or Thyram, and, while about it do the raspberry patch also. Apple and pear trees benefit from wood ash or a potash manure spread round them, and frequent, heavy waterings, to help the swelling fruit An inch covering of lawn clippings makes an excellent cooling mulch. Sawdust also, is excellent for general use in the same way, and on heavy clay soils, such as prevail in some parts of Riccarton. coud be very liberally used, up to three inches in depth. Not only will it keep the surface cool, but would in time be available to dig in and form vegetable compost. These cement-like soils could absorb several annual dressings of sawdust and lime with very great benefit to its conversion into a free working soil. Watch for colonies of woolly aphis on the joints ot apple growths. A small brush dipped in methalised spirit or tobacco water should control them.

Carry on with grape thinning. Leave only one. branch to each spur and thin the berries of ail undersized fruits which will not be fertilised. THE GLASSHOUSE

Ventilation and watering will need attention, whether vines, tomatoes, or flowering plants are grown. The midday temperature must be tempered by a floor watering before 10 a.m., and all vents and doors opened to prevent the temperature rising above 80 degrees. As the temperature declines below 60 degrees, ventilators can be closed. Grape thinnings should be completed. Heavy bunches should have the two top shoulders tied up with raffia to take their weight off the others.

Cyclamen should now be repotted into new soil and started off again by watering. Cuttings ot geraniums and fuchsias will root readily now. Several can be started in a small pot for repotting when rooted. Watch for aphis on indoor palms and plants. Syringe them with nicotine sulphate. Abutilons. fuchsias, and pelargoniums are all very subject to aphis under glass Seeds sown should be pricked out as soon as the first true leaf appears. About two inches apart in the box should be right After watering them in, shade them with paper for a couple of days.