GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3136, 14 July 1917, Page 13

GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhai.") AXSWKB TO COKRESI'ONDEXT. ■Ticton" writes:-"! ha™ lieen given some plants of anagallis. If J Want them out now, will they stay in the same position all through the summer or will they bloom early in the spring and so allow mo to put something ulse in their p.'uce ior tlio summer? Will you please give me the names of six oarly (towering chrysanthemums, n good yellow ircluded " You have not, slid whether your aiuieallis plants are annual, bienninl, .r per- ■ en.nial ones. The length of time they will be in the ground depends urou their variety. . Six early-Hovering chrysanthemums are: —Goatoher's crimson, chestnut crimson, Horace Martin, deep yellow; .Marie Jlassie, pink; Source d'Or, bronze; Yellow Source d'Or, bright yellow; Koeur Jlelaine, white. PtANTIXG TREES AND SHRUBS AT THE SEASIDE. This is a question that concerns many l\cw Zealand gardeners. Tery often tlie auit at tne seaside Js of poor iiuality , , and before planting takes place the grouuu should bo deeply triiched, and should have some well-rotteu manure .added to it. This givet- the plants a, good start. In some cases it may be necessary to dig out a wide hol,e for each plant, tilling it in with good soil and well-rotted manure. Where the ground is very .steep it is better that little terraces should be forniou ror the plants, as they have a much better chance when planted on the flat than when planted on a steep incline. Secure stakiiig should be attended to without delay to allow the roots to become firmly embedded iu the soil. When plants are constantly blown tins way.and that by strong winds the soil about their roots is always being loosened, and growth is impossible. In very exposed positions protection should be given until the trees or shrubs have become thoroughly established. Fences of manuka, afford excellent protection. In selection of trees and shrubs for planting at the seaside there aro none so eminently suitable as several of our native plants We ore, I grievo to say, inclined to experiment with specimens from other lands, when, all about, us beautiful native trees and shrubs aro showing us, as plainly a.s they can, how very suitable and desirable they are for our seaside gardens. What can be more beautiful than, the cliauthus when it is planted at the top of a bank and allowed to hang its lloverladen branches naturally and gracefully down the incline? In my own tarden at present a kowhai trees is ablaze with golden-yellow flowers, and tuis are feasting on the nectar, and giving in return glorious music from sunrise till dark. A little later the ribbonwoods -wilt le in bloom, while already manuka lushes are covering themselves -with millions of snow-white (lowers. Then will come the sweot-scentcd flowers of our native cabbage tree (Cordylino Australia), and the handsome spikes of crimson flower of the native Has., During December and January pohutukawa trees are a glowing mass of scarlet. Then there are senecious with their yellow foliage and bright yellow • flowers, olcaries, and veronicas iu almost endless variety. These are only a few of the. commonest of our flowering trees and shrubs that aro suitable for rianting at the seaside.

AmoUR foliage plants coprosma, pittosnorum, broadleaf, karalia. ngaio, fuchsia, niyrlus, bulla.ta, and .tutu arc all suitable and most handsome.

Other suitable shrubs aro:-Choisya tcrnatn, holly, myrtle. cscaMonia, rosemary, lavender, .hydrangea, arbutus, i;ncrio, Woom, hawthorn, dcntzia, berherfs. guelder rose, and snowborry. Before vla-nting trench deeply after.planting stoko Eecurely, and keep plants supplied with sufficient iratcr. Provide protection in exposed positions.

IIIIIIUAI LONniPLORUJr HAHEISKI. Lilium Longoflorum Harrissi is one of our most useful'garden lilies. The pure ■vvhito trumpei-shaped flowers arc borno on fnirly long stems, and aro exceedingly fragrant. In addition to its value as a, decorativo garden plant, Lilium I-ongi-floruin is most useful as a, cut. flower, and is in great demand among florist.?. To grow it succcssfiiUr, the soil .-hntiM bo composed of good yandy loa.m and leafmould. After planting, a, mulch of wellrotted manure should bo given, and as soon a.3 tho flower buds appear, feeding with weak liauid manure should commence. I'EBENNULS. Take every advantago of tho soil being in good condition to push on with Iho work amongst perennials. New roots may be planted now of such things as herbaceous phlox, Orientnl poppies, delphiniums, gypsophila pariiculata, coreontiis, gaillardias, pentstcmone, pyrethnims, antirrhinums, aquilegias, carnations, daisies, campanulas, hollyhocks, Hichaelmas daisies, scabious, and verbenas Old clumps that need breaking up may be attended to now. Lift tho old clump, and plant back strong young pieces from t.ho outsido of the cltimD. Where big clumps of perennials lmvn been lifted, work into tho soil some well-decayed vegetable matter from a rubbish heap or hole, and a littlo boncdust. Eiamino the roots before planting, and cut oft , with a sharp knifo any that are bruised or damaged. The garuenor who has little spare timn cannot do better than fill ud his beds with poronnials. The ordinary amateur gardener has no time to pjmrr, for elaborate bedding-out schemes. Sis main object is to have his little garden plot gay at all seasons of the year, and this can best bo achieved by means of a judicious choice of perennial plants, roses, and flowering shrubs, with tho help of a few annuals. OHIMSON MANUKA. Crimson manuka (Loptospermum Chapmanii) is a very hardy flowering shiub, and not at all particular aa to petition. It flowers early in tho summer, wten every branch, to the very tip, la covered with beautiful crimson flowers. VEGETABLES. Seeds Dial, may bo sown this week arc: —J'eas, broad beans, and carrot. In the open ground a further sowingof ground should bo trenched, and Bhould have well-decayed manure or vcgetablo rubbish buried about a foot below the surface soil. Where peas aro to bo sown, wood ashes or rubbish fire ashes should be mixed with tho soil. Put a little bonedust in tho drills at the time of sowing the seed. If peas aro soaked in warm water for a few hours before sowing they will come up all the sooner. It is as well to put threads of black cotton along the rows as soon as tho seed is sown. This protects it from sparrows. Dust soot or lime alone the rows at tho first sign of a green ehoot. CAKEOTS. On well-drained soil a small sowing of carrot (Early Horn) may be made. Oarrots should be grown in ground that wuh richly manured for peas or some green crop last season. The soil should be worked to a flue tilth to a depth of one foot. It is a good plau to place a layer (about half an iiich thick) of dry wood ashes in the drills at the time of sowing. Drop the seed into the ashes and just cover with very fine earth. Press the earth lightly but firmly with the back of tho haud after covering the seed. SEEDS IN PANS. Where necessary, a small sowing of cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce may be made in seed-pans. Those who have a frame or a greenhouse to supply bottom heat may make a sowing of tomato and cape gooseberry. PLANTS. Plants of cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce may bo put in the ground provided the soil is in a suitable condition. Tho ground should bo trenched and manured in preparation for them. Mix a little bouedust in the bottom of each hole at tho time of planting. Out the end of tho tap root off cabbage and cauliflower plants to encourage the growth of fibrous roots. Press the earth very firmly round each plant. ItOOTS. Hoots of rhubarb, horse radish, shallots, and garlic may all be planted this week. OELEEY. Where slugs are spoiling celery in the trenches a little linio water will Bend them in search of another feeding ground. Place a handful of quick-lime in five gallons of water, stir it up. and" let it stand overnight. Water the soil and the celery a few times with the solution, and the plants will bo free from this pest for a time at any rate. Garden Notes neit week' will contain seasonable notes about:—Pruning roses, Canterbury bells, and vegetables.