GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 298, 10 September 1921, Page 11

GARDEN NOTES

(By “KowhaL”) SUMMER'FLOWERJNG PERENNIALS. Tritomas or Torch Lilies.—TrUomas are fina plants to jrow on a lawn; or on the of a sliruubery. The foliage of the plant alone is attractive, and it looks to advantage J'laming heads of flower or shrubs. But it i* wnen the lilies themselves oome out that the plants are seen to l’lnifilng heads of flower appear above the rush-ike foliage, borne on long, straight stems. Several clumps on a lawn or among shrubs make a bril-' liant display, and the flowing scarlet or yellow of the flowers is so softened by the Quantity of leaves that the colours never look hard. i Tritomna like a well-drained, sandy soil, with some well-rotted stable manure mixed with it. Olay soil should have the top soil removed to allow the sub* soil to be broken up, and have cinders, road grit, and horse manure mixed witn it. The top soil should have road grit, sand, and well-rotted horse manure mixed with it before it is returned to its place. Once tritomas are well planted in soil they like, they are little further trouble. They will grow and flourish afterwards, ( becoming more beautiful each year. Should it become necessmxrto break up tho plants, thia may be done at the end of the autumn A little weak liquid manure given as soon as the ouas appear will improve the size and colour of the floweri. , •, ~ Iris Kaeinpheri.—Those who are lucky endugh to have a little stream running through their gardens, or an artiliciaj pond in their grounds, should grow Quantities of these beautiful Japanese irises, for they like a cool, moist rooting but plenty of eun. The sunny side of a stream is an ideal home for them. The flowers are. larger than those of the English or Spanish varieties, and they are wonderfully rich in colouring, and, in some cases, most curiously marked. A creek or pond margined with these irises in bloom is a beautiful sight. When the flowers are cut and brought into the house they aro equally beautiful. It Is advisable to. cut off all flowering stalks ns soon' as the flowers are over, for by doing so immediately the plants are enabled \to produce large flowers for several years without being disturbed and thinned out. Agapanthus.—This is one of out Hjost stately plants, and for sire ofL and purity of colouring it is almost unsurpassed. The plants may be grown in many positions. They look well whew of plants for growing on the edge of a shrubbery-, they make a brilliant display when grown alone in big on a lawn, and they are among the finest of plants for growing on the edge of a stream or pond. The pure, rich colour of the blue agapanthus is- especially delightful, and a good-sized clump in full flower is a very beautiful „1V plant that is not at all particular as to soil, but it likes a good root run A light soil and a warm position are what the plants like best. but provided the iground has been well and deeply dug, they will grow successfully anywhere A little very weak liquid manure is appreciated by 7 tho plants during the flowering ““LiTlums.-Bcfore planting liliums the ground should bo well prepared. The top soil should be removed and the subsoil broken up and enriched With wellrotted cow manure, leaf mould, peat mould, and a little bonedust The top soil may then be replaced. Once in the ground Illiums should not be disturbed again for Several years: hence, the importance of preparing the ground < thoroughly. and of giving the bulbs the sur roundings they H»e ta the When planting the bulbs fork a little bonedust, into the soil in the bottom of the hole, ‘place a good layer of sand for the bulbs to rest on, and if possible cover the bulbs with sand before covering with soil. Tills is a precaution against insects especially . wood lice, which may get among the scaly parts of the bulbs. C Should clumps of liliums nee 4 up the work should be done in the autuin. During winter liliums should have a good mulch of cow manure, for they are” greedy feeders During the summer they should bo given plenty of wate L’ and the roots should be protected from the hot sun by a mulch. The auratum is perhaps the most \handeomo of the liliums, “"t when in flower it fills the garden with perfume. it flowers durin" December Lllium candldum is. one of Jho first of tho summer-flowering liliums to. I>ei In flower Other summer-flowering one? are. Tigrinnm, longiflornm, martagon. .«nd auratum Some -.liliums make roots not only at the base of the bulb, but also nt th • top of the bulb. Auratum, longiflorura and tigrlnum have this system of double - rooting, and the bulbs “hould therefore be planted deep. There sbcc'd be at least six inches, of soil above, tho b Gladioli.—Few of our summer-flowering plants are more showy th an gladioli, for the colours tof tho flowers are beautiful, nnd the spikes of bloom enormous Planted in gvoupo of frpm six to eight corms nil along the flower borders, they a r-orgeous display during summer.. The best varieties are a little exnenrfve to bvv but money spent on gladioli corms 6‘money well invested, for the forms inoraase'so rnuidlv. If one corm is bought ■m.l Til-voted carefully now, in a lew years’ tfme It will have increased to quite a nice clump. x Wlyn preparing the ground it should be very deeply dug. prejn the autumn or eariy wmtei, nnd should have som« well-rotted manure added t” it Place the corms about six 'inches below the surface of the soil, and have them resting on a l a var of ® a K a ' Aq soon ns the leaves appear above tn wtatitvl thoroaehly water the soil, and placel’ thin mulch- of well-rotted manure above each clump. BEGONIAS. For filling the shady border in summer what could be mors charming than a ± of begonias? Tubers, should‘be started into growth now, and may then ho planted out in well-dug soil to which welbrotted manure, leaf soil, and eharp sahd hare been added splendidly out of doors, and keep a shady border attractive throughout the Jummer and autumn with their dainty gay-colour-cd flowers VEGETABLES. Take advantage, of warm sunny days to stir tho soil about growing vegetables. Earth up cabbages, cauliflowers, etc., with sun-warmed soil. Remove all decayed leaves from cabbages, etc., and burn out carrots that wore sown late in See B are securely fastened to Et Comi>lete all digging and trenching, and P Puoh P on at wit’h the sowing of seeds at eV sSds Ql ’t l lmt tU^ t a y y ’be sown this week where necessary are:— . dtadish.—Sow broadcast in rich, firm ground, and in a sunny position. Carrot.—Sow thinly in drills. 12 inches a Turnips—Row in ground that was richly manured for a previous crop of greens, or in ground that was manured early in the autumn.- Make the soil very firm, and sow thinly in drills 12 inches apart. Peas.-Sow in drills from two to three feet apart. The ground should be treated and manured, nnd should ha-ve wood ashes mixed with it. Dust bonedust in the drills at the time -of sowing. Soak peas In warm water for a few hours before sowing. Parsnips—Sow in ground that was well manured for a previous crop. Make the soil fine for a depth of at least 18 inches. Work into the soil ashes from a rubbish fire and bonedust (4oz. to the square yard). 1 , Onions—Make the soil very firm by treading on it before sowing Do this only when the. soil is dry. Blacken the soil with soot several times before sowing the seed. Dust superphosphate in /the drills at the time of sowing, and have them 12 inches apart. Beet—Sow in drills 15 inches apart. Tho soil should be light, but rich. As manure freshly added to the soil may spoil the roots, use ground that was richly manured for a previous crop. Tho soil must be made very firm before sowing the seeds. Sprinkle a little ponedust or superphosphate in the drills when Bowing. Take your hoe with you whenever you visit your vegetables.

Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about —Autumn-flower-ing perennials, routine work, ana vegetables. \