The Plant As Ornament, The Fruit To Eat

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30738, 30 April 1965, Page 6

The Plant As Ornament, The Fruit To Eat

Something which deserves a little more consideration is the use of fruit trees, and even vegetables, as ornamentals for a very attractive, often highly-scented plant may be obtained which also has an economic value in that parts of it are edible.

One of the first to spring to mind is the flowering and fruiting so-called crab apple. This group of small to medium-sized trees are quite hardy and can therefore be used for a number of pur-, poses. The flowers are borne in clusters, which are either erect or pendulous; single or double, and bear blossoms ranging in shades, from crimson, pink or red, to purple. The flowering period usually commences towards the end of August and concludes in November.

As only those flowering apples which bear fruit suitable for culinary purposes, chiefly for making jelly are being dealt with, many fine flowering forms cannot be considered. Malus “John Downie” which is an English- variety developed from the original wild crab apple, Malus pumila, is regarded as one of the finest “crabs” grown although it forms a rather large tree for the average garden. The large white flowers, which are red before the blossoms open, give way to a heavy crop of orangescarlet fruit. Bright Hybrid Also a prolific bearer is Malus Gorgeous a more suitable tree for the smaller section as it does not grow to much over 6ft in height. The small red apples are preceded by large single white flowers in October. This is but one of the many hybrid varieties that have been raised in New Zealand, among which there is included M. “Jack Humm,” a Christchurch-raised hybrid. This crab is a very familiar local sight providing an ex-

ceptionally bright display in winter as the persistent clusters of bright red apples hang on leafless branches curiously untouched by birds and yet most suitable for human consumption. Apple Tree Before leaving the apples, mention must be made too of the suitabilities of the apple tree generally, particularly if budded on dwarfing stock which restricts the ultimate height to about sft. They can be grown as bushes, cordons, pyramids, central leaders or espaliers and thus can qualify for a place in the smallest garden. The possibilities of providing attractive wall cover are unlimited. The apples have already been mentioned as they can be trained in some suitable manner such as in the form of a cordon or as an espalier. Many fruit trees have attractive natural shapes to add to their foliage, flowers and fruit. Citrus trees, although their flowers are somewhat inconspicuous fit ideally into this category. Where conditions are suitable a well-kept specimen of the wheeny grapefruit, placed perhaps in the centre of the front lawn, can look most spectacular when it is laden with ripe and ripening fruit at a time of the year when there is not so much colour to be found in the garden. For the rest of the year the large glossy dark green leaves have a certain attraction of their own.

Although the “grapefruit” as a fruiting specimen has to be confined to the warmer locations, there are other citrus which can be used, especially the lemon tree which flowers and fruits virtually the whole year round. Flowering Quinces The flowering quinces also fit into this category and are extremely hardy. They do need regular attention to encourage replenishment of young wood but their attractive flowers and large, very pleasantly aromatic fruit 'which makes excellent jelly and is useful for setting jams, outweighs this consideration. Apart from the more well-known Chinese quince, Chaenomeles sinensis, and C. japonica, there are many newer hybrids and varieties offered by the trade today from which selection can also be made.

Aside from hiding a wall there is sometimes an old shed, stump or trellis which requires covering up. What better way than to do so with an attractive fruiting vine. Immediately one can think of the passion vine, Passiflora edulis, which however, does not fruit too satisfactorily in the lower vicinities of Christchurch. Growth is somewhat rampant and because it flowers on current season's wood, regular pruning is necessary. Also worthy of consideration for trellis and similar constructions are grapes and Chinese gooseberries. With the latter it must be remembered that it is a dioecious plant—that is male and female flowers are carried on different plants. It is therefore necessary to provide a plant of each sex if fruit is desired. Hedges are mostly regarded

purely from the functional point of view to provide shelter or privacy, but their decorative value too has often been emphasised on this page, and when one adds fruiting potential as well they at once become very functional ihdeed. Feijoa sellowiana, the ruite salad tree, makes a very good evergreen informal or formal hedge of surprising vigour and even more surprising hardiness. Specimens having been known to stand up satisfactorily to frosts in excess of 15 degrees. Although somewhat shy in setting fruit, it bears attractive single waxy whitepetalled flowers with crimson centres and showy erect clustered stamens in mid summer.

Lower Hedges Suitable for lower hedges is the Myrtle, Myrtus Ugni, commonly called the cranberry, or Chilean guava, its blue black berries having a taste like wild strawberries. It has leathery ovate leaves and white flowers. The small berries which ripen in autumn are particularly valued in the United States for jelly and sauce making. The filberts or hazelnuts are also most useful for hedging purposes. They are attractive, hardy shrubs of bushy growth bearing unisexual flowers, consisting of the dropping “lamb’s tails” of the male catkins and the more inconspicuous bud-like female flowers with protruding red stigmas. The nuts are formed in clusters, each nut being enclosed in a persistent husk or bract. '. These are but a few examples of fruit and nutproducing plants of ornamental value that can be grown in the garden. But there are many others which can add colour and. interest such as the Chinese persimmon, Diospyros Kaki, or the Spanish Chestnut, Castanea sativa that one could include. It is also possible to grow many of the more tender, or smaller subjects of edible and decorative appeal either as tub, house or glass house plants. This form of cultivation should become more popular now with the modern trend of building houses with large glass areas, patios and outdoor living sectors. Citrus have a very pleasant scent, attractive leaves and, under suitable conditions, some of the smaller varieties such as kumquats, which bear small mandarin like fruit, are well worth consideration.

Fruit Salad Plant Even dwarf apples can be tubbed, and grown on the veranda for instance. Another attractive and appealing subject is Monstera deliciosa, the evergreen fruit salad plant which bears delicious small black edible fruit on the end of spikes after a display of creamy white flowers. And. although this may cause a laugh in some quarters, a well grown tomato plant, particularly some of the more unusually-shaped ones like the yellow pear variety, is very colourful, whilst a path edging of strawberries such as Ettersburg tree can be equally eye catching.