GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 169, 12 April 1930, Page 32

GARDEN NOTES

PERENNIAL PLANTS

(By

“Kowhai.")

With the exception of chrysanthemums, dahlias, salvia patens, and golden rod, perennial plants are practically over. Here and there lupins and delphiniums are sending up an odd flowering spike, but the majority of perennial plants are looking so shabby that one feels the time han time to overhaul the herbaceous border thoroughly. Gladioli should have been lifted as soon its the foliage began to turn yellow, but if the corms are still in the ground, no time should be lost in getting then) .up and cooling them on a cool, airy shelf to dry off. They may be planted back again as soon ns they arc ready, the early part of May being a good time for the first planting of gladioli. If some of the corms are held over until the spring, one is able to have a second show of these handsome flowers. Irises.

It is already getting JMe to lift and divide bearded irises, and the dwarf irises (purnila), but Where the clumps tti'c too large they may still be attended to. Dig the soil very thoroughly before planting back the pieces, and work in a good dressing of lime, and, where tho soil is heavy, some When planting, plant firmly the long fleshy Coots, but hhve the übizome almost on the surfgee of the soil. Doronicunis.

Doronicums flower vCry early in the spring, if they ate planted early. To get good results it is necessary to lift the clumps every ilutuiiin and to replant strong, healthy pieces iti deeply dug, wellenriched ground. The plants flower equally will ill a suiiny or a semi-shaded place. Aqtiileglas.

Aqullegias tire already makitig gddd growth, and as long as the clumps flower well they may be left for many years. It is a good plan to scoop away about two inches of the surface soil round each clump and to replace it with good sandy humus-y soil. Seedling aquilegias may be planted out in well-enriched ground.

Campanula I’ersicWolia. Campanula pCrsicifolia is one of the loveliest of the early summer perennials, for the large blue bells on their long slender stems make a glorious show over a long period. It is very effective when there ai‘e several largh, eluhips at good intervals right doWn tlih herbaceous border. But unless, it is well kept in order it is apt to encroach too much, and at this time of year the clumps should be well thinned out, leaving the growths that have the largest, and strongest croWtis. Overcrowded clumps do not flower satisfactorily. Every third . year the whole clump should be dug up, strong pieces being replanted. A good handful of lime may be worked in round the clumps.

Campanula Pyramidales. This campanula is still in flowCr, and the long spikes of bloom are Indeed handsome, for many of them reach a height of five feet. It the. lifcads of bloom are cut off as soon as the flowers are Over, strong lateral shoots are produced oh the flowering stem, and these make good .cuttings. If they are planted firmly ; in sandy soil in a nursery bed, they soon take root, and many be planted out In wsll-enflOhed soil. They flower, as a rule, the first season. Lupins.

Lupins flfe tremendous grower's, and very generous with their flowers. They make a glorious show when they are in bloom, and now. that we iiaVe such wonderful coldurk amdhg them they are indeed wofth growing well. Lupins are among the happiest and most accommodating of tho Inhabitants of the herbaceous border, adapting themselves readily to almost aiy soli, Or situation, as long as it is not too shady. Clumps heed not be lifted for many yeafi, but every autumn, when the plants are cut right down, they should be covefed with a mulch of well-decayed garden rubbish. They appreciate some sand in the soil,, too, and a slight dressing Of blood and bonedust.

Plants Cdffid fdirly true ffoin seeds, which may still be sowu, but thfi surest way of increasing a Special favouHte Is by means of cuttings. These are the strong young Shoots that are to be found on the olfl flowering stems just now. They may be taken off with n slight bejel, afitl if planted fifmly it) sandy soil root very quickly. If necessary the dlump itself may be lifted and bfOliefi tip, but It sfitiiiS a pity to disturb it when cuttlngfi are available.

Perennial Phloxes. i Petennlal phloxes, too, indy be left for several years, and as long as they are Covered with a mulch of well-decayed, cow thauUre early, in the wintef should fldwer sdtlSCaCtbrlly.

Michaelmas Daisies. Michaelmas daisies' need lifting every year, and so do helenlbms If the results are to be really good. Each flowering stem of the t>t-eseiit season riMdiices from live to eight new ones at Its base, so that It 1s easily seen bow quickly a clump nifty become overcrowded unless lifted regularly. Three, of these stems planted back, tridngulat fashion, aud a foot apart each way, malm a good Clump for next seakon. The ground should be well-enriched for Michaelmas daisies, deep-ly-dug and moderately rich for heleniums. Delphiniums. 1 , <• Delphiniums have been looking very sick the \ last few weeks, for mildew has been fairly general owing to, the dry spell. Where they are badly affected they should be cut.hard back, and thoroughly dredged with flowers of sulphur while they are damp with dew or after a watering. Later, early in May, the dumps should be covered with a mulch of well-decayed cow manure. . Perennial Popples. Perennial popples do not need much attention at this time of ybar, A little blood and bonedust may be pricked In round the clumps. Llllums. Llllums should have their old flowering stems removed, and should be covered with a mulch of decayed cow manure. Carnations. Old carnation plants may be kcpt.golhg for many years if they are cut bard back to within a few inches of the ground every autumn. New shoots are soon produced at the base of the old stems, and each plant becomes qultfe a bush, producing early tn summer masses of lovely frhgfant flowers. Some blood and bonedust, about ft teaspobnful, may be pricked in round each plant, aud a dressing of lime. Carnation plants appreciate being watered with weak shit water occasionally. Ileucliera. Heuchera plants should be lifted aud broken up, and before, they are planted back the soil should be thoroughly dug. Well decayed garden rubbish should be worked in, and a sprinkling of blood and bonedust may be added when the plants are being put back. I Erlaerons. Where erigerons have become overgrown the plants may now be lifted and divided. Dig the soil very deeply before putting them baek, for they like good drainage, and burj- some well decayed garden rubbish for them to root Into. Wherever it Is possible, turn over the soil in the herbaceous border, burying plenty of decayed garden rubbish. As soon as the whole border is trim and tidy, topdress with lime, keeping it, however, away from Illiums, Japanese irises, daphne, and any azaleas Or rhodoflcUdMns that may be. near. VEGETABLES Loosening ttie soil between the rows of vegetables Is very necessary at all times, but more especially so during a dry spell, for it prevents any moisture that.is in tho ground from rising to the surface. Clear away crops as soon as they are over, and burn them on the ground If there Is room. Trench and manure the ground as It becomes Vacant, and where it is not wanted immediately sow a crop of bjue lupin to be turned in for green manure later. Do not leave stakes lying about. Collect them and store them. In a dry place. Give lettuces, cabpages, Brussels sprouts nitrate of soda—loz. in one gallon of water—once a week after rain or after a good watering. Celery and leeks also may be fed with weak nitrate of sdd«Cut pumpkliis and marrows as they ripen, and store them In a dry place.