Practical GARDENING

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29004, 18 September 1959, Page 16

Practical GARDENING

Specially Written for "The Press''by

T. D. LENNIE.

A.H.R.1.1L. N.Z.

Here And There In The FLOWER GARDEN

It is surprising how quickly many perennial plants will build themselves into spreading clumps and reduce the quality of their blooms, both in the size of the flowers and in the length of the stems. When this stage is reached, it is time to do something about it. Perennials concerned include dahlias, Michaelmas daisy, chrysanthemum, paeonies, campanulas, phlox and delphiniums. All these can be separated into divisions by spade or knife, and, replanted, these divisions will give good results if helped by the addition of compost or manure. Dahlias and paeonies can be divided according to the growth eyes showing. With most of the others, spade divisions will be easy, and will result in plenty of good blossoms from January on to early winter. Carnations require somewhat different treatment Large clumps of these should have one-third of the stems cut off, and those remaining should be cleared of bottom, yellowed leaves. Sweet peas contribute much to the summer display. Those sown in the autumn should be flowering by November, and can be followed in January and February with a further display if seeds are planted now. So where a good situation is available, the sowing of seed is advisable.

Roses may still be given a final pruning overhaul, and new plants shortened to promising eyes which will be visible on the stems. Gladiolus should be planted. They are among the most attractive of the summer-flowering plants, and are both diverse and striking in colouring. Few summer plants are so accommodating or respond so brightly to cultivation.

It will soon be time for putting out bedding plants for summer display. There is no hurry about this, and, therefore, it will pay to prepare sites by digging in manure or good compost. This, however, does not apply to artificial manures which should be applied when actually planting out. Iceland poppy, pansy, myosotis, polyanthus, antirrhinum.

wallflower, Beauty stocks, aubretria, auricula, and Sweet William are among the best for early planting.

This is also flower seed sowing time. Quite apart from the quick results from annuals such as godetia, candytuft, mignonette, cornflower, nigella, clarkia and linaria, it is opportune to sow a selection of perennials such as pansy, Russell lupin, hollyhock, carnation, primula, cineraria, delphinium and polyanthus. You will then have these attractive things in quantity when the time comes for planting out about March. Where a greenhouse is available, it is not only pleasant but profitable to raise plenty of choice young plants for this purpose. In cases where this protection is available, cyclamen, violas, begonia, streptocarpus, gloxinea, in addition to those mentioned above, may also be planted now. Planting of flowering trees and shrubs is still possible, especially in the evergreen section—rhododendron, camellia, azalea, flowering brooms, prostranther, and many species of conifer. These latter are excellent specimen trees on the lawn, or planted to relieve the bare stems of deciduous shrubs. Lawns can be sown, or old ones topdressed. Hormone powders are now available to control weeds on the lawn or on gravel paths. Science has done a good job in this direction.