IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28671, 22 August 1958, Page 8

IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Items Of Interest This Week

Cuningham Glasshouse.— Many interesting and colourful tropical plants are on display. Upstairs on the eastern side of the gallery is a collection of species and varieties of begonia, Tiltandsia lindenii, a blue-flowered bromeliad is in flower. Ananas sativus variegatus, the variegated pineapple. is very colourful, and Gynura aurantiaca, the purplevelvet plant, is also attractive. At the northern end of the gallery is, a staging of Begonia manicata. and climbing up the girders are Pyrostegia venusta with orange flowers, and for the visitor who is around at the right time the large trumpet-shaped, ochrecoloured flowers of Solandra hartwegii may be open. 'Along the western side is a collection of the brilliantly foliaged Crotons, and at the southern end Ardisia crenulata, a plant from China, which has brilliant red berries.

Downstairs may be seen many interesting foliage plants such as Begonia rex, Pilea cardierei, and Calathea. Townend Glasshouse.—The Primula malacoides are now at their best and make a most attractive display. This primula, originally a rather slender growing species with small pink flowers, has now been developed into a more robust plant in a variety of colours. In the centre are cinerarias, Primula obconica, and a special display of house plants. On the northern side of the house are cyclamen. Spring Bulbs.— ln several parts of the gardens, crocus are flowering and a particularly fine display may be seen surrounding the azaleas near the Cashel street gates and also near the south bridge leading to the woodland. Special Tree The Manzanita (Arctostaphylos Manzanita). — Growing in the border around the eastern side of the bog garden is Arctostaphylos manzanita, one of the most attractive of Californian shrubs. It is an evergreen with rather straggling branches which have a very smooth dark chocolate brown bark. The flowers are pinkish and resemble those of lily-of-the-valley. Manzanita is the. Spanish name for the shrub. Display houses are open on week-days from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and at week-ends from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Gates to the gardens close daily at 5.45 p.m. Answer To Correspondent Mary Low (Sydenham).—Yes. you' had better remove some of the sawdust from the asparagus by raking off, 1 leaving about one inch only on the bed. This will not retard spring growth and will gradually work itself into the surface soil. Scatter the raked off sawdust over the ground in which you will later sow your vegetable seeds or potatoes, or throw it about around the fruit trees.