Trial plots in the Gardens may have the ideal plant for the home

Press, 9 June 1978, Page 7

Trial plots in the Gardens may have the ideal plant for the home

GARDENING

By

M. Lusty

Not far from the tea kiosk m the Christchurch Botanic Gardens are to be found some trial plots. Within the confines of these small areas are to be found a range of less commonly seen plants and recent releases in the tree and shrub line. The purpose behind the trials is not only to see how the plants perform under local conditions but also to bring them into the public eye. In this way suitability can be

judged and one is given some idea of the shape, size and appearance of the various introductions. There are several forms of the small growing holly, hex comuta. the species of which is not renowned for its berries. However, the form "Burfordii,” which is even smaller growing, is recognised for the freedom with which it produces its large red berries. This shrub is very much used in the United States as a low evergreen hedge. Garrya elliptica is well known to most gardeners and is often referred to as Catkin Bush. “James Roof” is a strong growing selected form with very long catkins which may exceed 160 mm. Garryas form fairly hardy evergreen shrubs at least 2.5 m high which flower in the winter through early spring. They are tolerant of regular pruning and branches are used for decorative work. Euonymus japonicus “Microphyllus Variegatus” has been available in local nurseries in any quantity only in the last year or two. It makes a very distinct dwarf. Im at most, when compared with the type which can develop into a small tree if left alone. This form also has stiff outward projecting

branches and small narrow dark green oval lanceolate white margined leaves. It may not be quite hardy enough for really severe conditions but is a very useful plant for rock gardens or where space is limited. C e a n o t h u s “Marie Simon" bears its flowers in panicles on the young growths in late summer, the blooms being a soft pink as distinct from the blues usually associated with this genus. Light pruning is desirable to ensure a good influx of new growth and to retain both shape and appearance; this should be done im. ediately after flowering has come to an end for another year. Of spreading nature this evergreen may grow 1.5 m tall. The tree Acer pseudoplatnus “Leopoldii” is likely to be one of the least well-known and rarely seen specimens here. It is a variety of sycamore which has its attraction in the leaves; these are yel-lowish-pink when they first appear in the springtime and later on change to green, speckled pink and purple — an interesting tree where space permits but growing far too large for our average garden. The same comment must be passed on Populus alba “Pyramidalis”. an erect growing silvery foliaged variety, resembling the “Lombardy Poplar” but slightly' more spreading in relation to height. It will exceed 30m in time but when worked on nonsuckering stock does not perpetuate the bad habit of its parent. Several species of dogwoods may be found growing in and about Christchurch including the yellow flowered large fruited Cornus capitata and the red stemmed C. baileyi. It is however doubtful whether many specimens of C. alba “Eleg'antissima” can be located. This is a deciduous shrub of spreading nature but not as rampant as the type ‘ , ■ , The stems are bright red in winter, the leaves

at first bronze becoming broadly margined and mottled white. A good plant for both wet and dry conditions. As a final example of the planting to be found in the Botanic Garden trial plots mention is made of Miscanthus sinensis “Variegatus” a tail graceful green and yellow grass which provides an alternative to planting flaxes, Cortedaria and . ach-like. Ths ornamental grass is highly

ranked and widely grown overseas; it will attain a height of about Im and produces feathery fan shaped panicles of flower heads. When next in the Gardens have a look at these and trees and shrubs such as Juniperus horizontalis "Bar Harbour”, Leptospermum scoparium "Red Ensign” and Coronilla glauca “Variegata.” Who knows, you may discover the ideal plant for your garden.