Memorable N.Z. wild flower

Press, 12 February 1982, Page 11

Memorable N.Z. wild flower

New Zealand wild flowers generally lack colour, being mainly yellow or white, so any which are different tend to’ attract more attention. One such plant is the Chatham Island Forget-Me-Not. This plant is so-called because of its origin and similarity to forget-me-nots, species of Myosotis, although it is larger in all its comparative anatomy. Shining, green heavilyribbed leaves develop from a stout rootstock: they may be oval or roughly heart-shaped - and as much as 300 mm across. From a loose rosette of these leaves a stout flower stem develops which can exceed one metre to produce

a large mass of small flowers: large flattened winged seed follow. The usual method of increase is by means of these seed, but as ’they soon,lose their viability they are best sown as soon after collecting as possible. As there is some variability in flower colour it is advisable to ensure that seed from only the best coloured flowers are utilised and even then it may be necessary to rogue some of the resulting seedlings. Sow the seed one per small pot — a yoghurt pottle is useful for such — in limefree. friable compost containing peat or leaf mould, if possible. Pot up when three

to four leaves have formed and plant out before they become root bound but after hardening off first. A moist soil with a high organic content which does not dry out during the sum- ' mer is best for them. Their leaves can be very attractive when well grown and unblemished and as such they associate .well with Hostas. i However, even though the : foliage has appeal it is the flowers which are their main attraction. The Chatham Island For-get-Me-Not was taken into cultivation by the early settlers. and it was from a garden plant that a botanist > first described it.

In its natural habitat it grows near the sea usually at the base of or on sea cliffs in sandy hollows where organic matter is produced from rotting seaweed. This was noted when the plant was transferred to gardens, and a mulch of seaweed was considered essential for successful cultivation. Even today this is often recommended in various books; but really, any organic matter can be used as a mulch and should be applied in early spring as the ground warms up. This plant has one or two problems in the garden which must be known for successful cultivation.

It will not thrive in a soil which contains lime. In districts which experience dry summers, aphids can cause trouble. These usually first attack the developing leaves and then migrate into the crowns where they feed on the immature foliage which, on unfolding, appears mottled. yellow and distorted. Acephate should be applied as an early control. In wetter areas slugs can be a real menace to the leaves and their feeding on them soon produces a very tattered appearance. Again, timely control pays dividends, and slug bait should be used where slugs are known to be troublesome.