NATIONAL FLOWER SHOW

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 103, 25 January 1933, Page 3

NATIONAL FLOWER SHOW

Opens To-morrow SOME CHOICE BLOOMS Exhibits from Leading Gardens Fresh evidence of the great desire for beautiful home surroundings is to be seen ou every hand throughout the Dominion to-day, but seldom indeed does the opportunity present itself to inspect the fruits of New Zealand’s most expert gardeners gathered together in a single building. Such an opportunity is provided by the National Flower Show, which is being staged at the Town Hall to-morrow (Thursday) and Friday, when the latest achievements in horticultural science will vie with one another in demanding our admiration. Citrus fruits from North of Auckland, and fruit from the South Island, miniature rock gardens planned and supervised by acknowledged experts, displays of gladioli, dahlias, begonias, hydrangeas, and flowering shrubs will present a series of colour harmonies which will provide all enthusiasts with an opportunity of selecting the best of the new creations of the plant breeder and hybridist. Loder Cup Competition. One of the outstanding features of the show will be the competition for the Loder Cup, which was presented by Mr. Gerald W. Loder, of Sussex, England, in 192 G tb the Dominion of New Zealand for “The preservation and development of the Incomparable flora of New Zealand, these being the words in which the wishes of the donor were expressed. Competition has been fairly keen for this valuable trophy, and the exhibits of native plants promise many outstanding examples of New Zealand’s flora. Novelties in plants and flowers always attract a great deal of interest, and those who delight in the curious and freakish pranks of nature will find much of interest to them. Joy of the Ground. Interest in the garden has grown apace during the last few years, and many people are realising that the joy of creating beautiful grounds is one of life’s greatest pleasures. As a result, people are paying greater attention to their home surroundings. Garden clubs are springing up throughout the Dominion, and new interest is being found in the fascinating pastime of beautifying the home grounds with living things. Interest in horticultural matters is therefore developing rapidly, nnd the wide range of entries received for the National IGowcr Show indicates thatmany amateur growers have sufficiently developed the art of raising choice blooms to enter open competition. GARDEN’S CHARM Influence of Flowers It has been said that a gardener is one who knows where to dig for happiness. There is no development more desirable for your grounds that a special purpose garden—a space set aside for the special purpose of growing flowers. Flowers have a profound influence upon the emotions of mankind. They stimulate the imagination to memories of the past, recall forgotten scenes, awaken dead desires. Plan your garden to your fancy—let it be a perennial garden—a rock garden—a garden for fragrance—a rose garden or any other combination, but arrange for it by all means, that your place may have the prettiness and charm of flowers. A garden near tlie living room or sun porch will bring the flowers close to the house where their colour aud fragrance, their mystery and fascination, can be enjoyed throughout the whole of spring, summer and autumn. BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS How to Plan Them With the greatest wealth of plant material available to-day, you can be sure of achieving beautiful and individual planting effects. The modern way of planning is to plant the whole grounds, not just the foundation alone. Where space permits, the lot is divided by planting into such portions as the front yard or public area, side yard or semi-publie area, the rear yard or private area, and the service area. To plan the grounds in this way you should make a little sketch plan, for it is easier to make changes with ■an eraser than to move plants after they are established. It need be only crudely drawn, but let it represent your own ideas of how your place may be developed. Later your ideas can be developed. You will be surprised to see. how much further the shillin.es go in buying plants for outdoor furnishings as compared to buying furnishings for the house. Most houses appear bare and cold without the softening influence of planting about the house foundation. Use graceful flowering shrubs and other plants to take away the abrupt and harsh separation of house and grounds. The fragrance of flowers, the colour and texture of foliage, the contrast of twig and berry, are but part of the beauty you will enjoy' from plants in the foundation planting. Consider first file entrance. It may well be accentuated by a . balanced planting of evergreens or of shrubs; the finer textured nnd richer foliaged sorts should be selected. A higher growing plant in back and on either side will give aceent to the doorway. For under the windows your nurseryman will recommend low-growing varieties. At the corners of the house use plants of taller growing nature, and make the planting bed wider at this point.