IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29264, 23 July 1960, Page 17

IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Items Of Interest This Week

Interesting and colourful foliage and flowering plants from the tropical regions of the world are on display in the Cuningham Glasshouse in the Botanic Gardens. The most outstanding plant at present is Columnea x banksii which is a garden hybrid plant belonging to the Gesneriaceae family. It is grown in hanging baskets and has long trailing stems with numerous small darkgreen leaves. The stems are covered with 2J-inch long bright, brick-red flowers. On the western side of the gallery Euphorbia fulgens is particularly attractive as are the Crotor-. On the eastern side, the Poinsettias are still making a good display and at the southern end in the display of Bromeliads, Tillandsia lindeniana and Neoregelia farinaso are outstanding.

Downstairs, there are numerous attractive foliage plants, including Peperomia, Deifenbachia, Begonia and Philodendron. Along the southern side of the Townend. Glasshouse the display of Cyclamen is still in full flower and in the centre are Primula .obconica, P. malacoides, Cinerarias and Coleus thrysoideus. Other plants are Koschosma riparium, Pycnostachys dawei, Freesias and Velttheimia viridifolia. Cactus and succulent plants from the various regions of the world are on display in the Garrick Cactus and Succulent House, and New Zealand ferns are on display in the fernery. Throughout the gardens, in various beds and borders a number of shrubs may be seen in flower. Some of these are Hamamelis japonica, H. mollis, Chimonanthus praecox. Camellia, Mahonia japonica var. bealgi and Grevillea.

Betula payrifera is a native of North America where it is found right across the upper lattitudes as far north as Labrador and Hudson Bay. It is a beautiful tree, attaining about 60 fee* at maturity and during the winter months is outstanding on account" of its smooth white bark which peels off in paper-like layers. It makes a striking contrast when seen against a dark background. The bark was used by the Indians for the manufacture of drinking vessels, for roofing and to make the famous birch-bark canoes. A large specimen may be seen in the border in the south-west corner of the bog garden.