TOLERANCE TO FROSTS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29535, 9 June 1961, Page 8

TOLERANCE TO FROSTS

Some Hardier Winter Types The frosty weather this last few days has made many a gardener turn his thoughts to questions of hardiness. Persons who live nearer to the Alps, or further down south, away from the coast have to bear this matter constantly in mind. There are many plants with a reputation for winter blooming, but not all of them will stand frost on the open flower. Here are a few that will:— Erica earnea and darleyensis the winter - flowering, heathers, are always cheerful in the winter months. They, make excellent carpeters with blooms of red, pink or white. There are quite a' number of named varieties, such as “Springwood”—white, with chocolate brown anthers; “King George." with pink flowers, and “Vivelli,” which has crimson flowers and darker foliage that contrasts well with the bright green of “Springwood.” Garry* elliptic*— the tassel bush, is always in demand, and rightly so. The male plant, which is the one commonly grown, produces creamy-white catkins up to six inches long. This is a good plant for growing either as a bush or as a shrub against the wall. If it grows too tall it can readily be cut back. Hamamelis mollis the witch-hazel, is a very tough plant that seem* to produce its flowers quite regardless of weather. For districts which regularly get 15 or 20 degrees of frost this plant is indispensible. Daphne metereum is a different daphne to that commonly grown leucanthe and is much hardier. The flowers are borne on naked twigs, so they are all the more attractive, with their white or purplish blooms, depending on variety. Although the flowers will not open in spells of severe weather, those which are out will not be harmed.