Preview Of Spring...

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28979, 21 August 1959, Page 10

Preview Of Spring...

Touring now round the Garden city, especially about the Cashmere hills, one’s eye is gladdened by the display of blossoms that herald the glories of spring. They seem to have revealed themselves almost overnight in spite of the cold and dampness. The old favourite, Prunus moseri is the most conspicuous, being clothed until the branches are hidden in a mass of soft pink double flowers. Its earlier relation, P. mume, the Japanese apricot has a deeper, richer rosy colouring. Vying with these are the Cydonias, or Japonica, generally called the Japanese quince. Although there are many colours in this estimable genus, the old. scarlet is hard to beat. Jasmine multiflora has been showing its yellow blossoms for some time. There is also a double yellow which makes a fine fence climber, as, for that matter, do all the Jasmines. The yellow Forsythia, just showing colour is one of the very best of spring flowering shrubs for the front border. There are many other good things to

follow, but they can be dealt with later. Bud movement is now becoming evident among the roses and is an indication that pruning, if not yet completed, must be hastened. The swelling buds are helpful in showing just where to cut back. Make a point of removing as much of the old, thorny stem as possible. Bear in mind that the best stems to retain die the younger green or brown ones with few thorns on them. Because of their usefulness for January flowering, gladiolus should be planted. With the narcissus as its closest possible competitor, it is everybody's flower, for it can be grown with great success with ordinary culture. Of course, the show enthusiast goes to considerable pains with his choice corms, but the production of worthwhile spikes is quite a simple matter, and therein lies the reason for the popularity of these flowers with the average gardener. Gladiolus are best planted in

rows or clumps, corms about four inches deep and six inches apart. Clumps of three or more corms in spaces between border plants will make a bright spot of colour. The gladiolus has one weakness, a disease which reveals itself in the form of rusty brown spots on the corms, and any of these that are badly spotted should not be planted as they seldom get to the flowering stage. Dipping all corms in aretan water is as good a control as any other. Alterations to climbers’ supports should be attended to before heavy growth puts an added strain upon them. Rockcry or rock edges may also need attention. Gaps on the former should be filled. Fine weather allows satisfactory use of hoe and fork to stir the surface soil and destroy weeds. Weeds on paths can be removed with ease by spraying a weed killer.