GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 100, 22 January 1927, Page 28

GARDEN NOTES

(BY “KOWUAI.”) PREPARING FOIL EARLY SPUING. V.'tillllower.s. stocks, polyanthus, ’primroses, viola,, aubrietias, and many of the early spring Howels need a long season of growth it masses of Howers are to be produced. Pl.t its that are attended to early m the .vein- make a good supply of roots and grow into fine specimens that are capable of bearing a mass of fine Howers. Wallflowers tnat were sown during November should now to moved from the seed tins into a nursery bed so that sturdy see Hings will be available for planting in the borders during March and April. Plant the seedlings in rows and keep them watered and hoed till it is time for their next move. Polyanthus primroses, too, are all the better for two moves, for then they make a good supply of fibrous roots without which the plants cannot produce massive bunches of bloom. Seeds may’ still be sown in seed tins, but where seedlings are ready they should Ie pricked out into a nursery bed. preferably iu a shady position. Polyanthus primroses like a heavy soil to which sand and a good supply of decayed weeds or leaves have been added. Aubrietias are very gay in the spring for well-grown plants spread over a good area and become, simply a Haze of colour. They are charming for the -ock garden, and for planting on the <dge of raised or terraced beds. r rhey r make a pretty edging, too, for bods that are bordered with rocks or boulders. . New plants mav be propagated in three ways—from seeds, from cuttings, and from layers. Just al present young shoots are springing from the centre of the plants and this is the growth from which cuttings arc'talren. Plant the shoots firmly in saudv soil, and keep them moist, till they lu.-ike roots. One of the quickest wavs of layering is to spread out some of the slender -’hoots and cover them with sandy soil, leaving the tips of the shoots uncovered. If the soil is lept moist, roots are soon formed. ... Double arabis is lovely during the spring, and the dainty white flowers, like miniature stocks, rising from a bed ot grey-green foliage, make an excellent foil for the brilliant aubrietias and alyssums. Now. however, the plants are spreading and encroaching on others and must be severely dealt with. While we are cutting them back a number of f resh young .growths should be secured for cuttings. Old woody pieces are not so atisfactory. Plant the cuttings firmly in sandy coil and keep evenly moist till they strike. We could not do without the gay yellow alyssums m the rock garden during spring." Both the bright yellow alyssum saxatHo and the pale lemon alyssum t-axatile. silver Queen, should be grown. The plants are easily raised from seed, or may be propagated from cuttings or layers, in the same way as aubrietias. Violas should be propagated us soon as possible now. so that borders may be well established before flowering time. The voting growths that spring from the centre of the old plant t-.re the ones to take tor cuttings. Plant them firmly m very sandy soil and keep evenly moist. t Pinch back the growths if they -how signs of being leggy, and nip off any flower buds that are formed. The plants may be put into tho borders during March or April. Violas are among the gayest of the spring flowers, and the plants are so easily propagated, either from ci ttings or from seeds, that every garden should nave a good supply of them. For massing along the edges of beds. < r lor covering tire ground among taller growing plants, violas are ideal. The plants come very readilv from seed, but where they are to he massed in separate colours it is better to depend upon cuttings. Iceland poppies are delightful spring flowers, and seeds should be sown during this month in order that seedlings may be ready for plantipg out early in March. From a" January sowing. Iceland poppies begin flowering very early in the spring, and the plants continue to flower until well into December. ROUTINE WORK. Plants are beginning to look very tired as a. result of the hot, dry weather. If possible the permanent plants such as Oriental poppies, lupins, aquilegias, delphiniums. roses, carnations, perennial phloxes, miehaelmas daisies, etc. should be given a thorough soaking and then a mulch. Perennial phloxes, dahlia,s, chrysanthemums. niichaelmus daisies, rudbcckias, heleniums, and all the autumn-flowering perennials need all the water they cun £’et. "The beautiful campanula pigramidalis is sending up its tall flowering stems, and needs a thorough watering occasionlly. This campanula is one if the most handsome of our late summer flowers and is worth every attention. The blue-flowered variety is the most'popular one. and tho tall stems, studded with their bright blue flowers make an attractive picture in the garden tor many weeks. The beautiful autunin-flowcring shrub leonotis lecnurus is sending up long slender stems that before very long will be covered with the brilliant orange flowers. Give the plants a thorough watering about once a week, and occasional doses of soot water or weak liquid manure. Asters need plenty of water just now. Where well-decayed animal manure can be* had. a light midch should be spread round the plants. Where animal manure cannot be had. a little boneduet may be pricked into the surface and well watered in, and a mulch of grass clippings mav be given. Tree daisies and aeathaea coelestis should he cut hard back. Thoroughly loosen the soil about the plants, working in a dressing of bonedust. A thorough watering should then be given.. Delphiniums should be cut right back ns soon as they have finished flowering, l.oosen the soil about each plant and give it a god watering. If possible supply a mulch of well-rotted manure. VEGETABLES.

The main work in the vegetable garden at present is hoeing between the rows of vegetables; If a loose powdery surface is maintained, the moisture tn the subsoil cannot evanorate. If watering is done it should be done thoroughly. Where water is very scar*e, marrows, peas, and beans mav have their foliage sprinkled with water in the evening, but the hoe must keep the soil loose about their roots. Keen peas and French beans well picked. Keep tomatoes well tied to stakes. Rub out all lateral shoots. Liquid manure may be given, very weak at first, as soon as the fruit has set.