IN THE BOTANIC GARDEAS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28979, 21 August 1959, Page 8

IN THE BOTANIC GARDEAS

Prunus Section Notv Flowering

Several species and varieties of Prunus are at present flowering in the Botanic Gardens and are worthy of note. One of the best is P. campanulata which is near the eastern entrance of the rose garden. The bell-shaped, rosecoloured flowers are probably the , most highly coloured of the wild I types of cherry. Near the Woodi land bridge is P. cerasifera var. . pissardi which comes from Persia i where it was discovered in 1880 by M. Pissard, gardener to the, Shah of Persia. In the border behind the N.E. section of the rose garden is Prunus blireiana var. moseri which has double i flowers of a rose colour, and in ;one of the borders behind the ; playground is Prunus pollardii, I the flowering almond. Spring Bulbs ■ In several parts of the Gardens, ; crocus are flowering, and a particularly fine display may be seen surrounding the Azaleas near the Cashel street gates, also near the bridge to the Woodland are crocus and snowdrops. The Glasshouses Many interesting and colourful tropical plants are on display in the Cuningham glasshouse. Upstairs on the eastern side of the gallery may be seen such plants as Chirita lavandulacea with mauve foxglove-like flowers, Rueilia formosa, Bouvardia, and Vriesia carinata which has flattened flower spikes of red and yellow. Along the western side of the gallery Euphorbia fulgens is making a brilliant display as are the Crotons with their bright foliage and at the southern end may be seen Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Beloperone guttata and Tetranema mexicana. In the hanging baskets Aeschynanthus! grandiflora and Columnesa x banksii are very attractive.' Downstairs in addition to the' many interesting foliage plants' the following are in flower, Stromanthe sanguinea, Saintpaulia and Anthurium andreanum. Along the southern side of the Townend glasshouse is a display of Cyclamen. Primula sinesis fimbriata and the attractive yellow-i flowered P. x kewensis. In the centre of the house may be seen Cinerarias and Primula obconica, while along the northern side is Primula malacoides. Other plants l of interest are Freesia refracta “Eurtonii” Lichendalia tricolor var. quadricolor, and Pentaptery-: gium serpens. Cactus and succulent plants from the various regions of the world are on display in the Garrick house.

Health Course— Health education officers from the various health districts will meet in Wei-; lington next week for their j annual refresher course. Dr. J. Caimey, Director-General of Health, will open the three-day i course on Wednesday.—(P.A.) [