PRACTICAL GARDENING

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 129, 24 February 1939, Page 14

PRACTICAL GARDENING

Helptul Hints For Amateur Growers , By “The Hoe.” , ~ FOR THE WEEK r The Flower Garden Now is the time to begin the planting of all springflowering bulbs. Order your tulips now and when they arrive plant six inches deep in soil that has been well limed. February is one of the best months for planting bearded irises. Be sure to order some of the giant flowering New Zea-land-raised varieties. Frequent cultivation is necessary to provide a dust mulch and conserve moisture. Sow anemones, aquilegias, candytuft, mignonette, pansies, primulas and stocks. Sweet peas can be sown now. Varieties of double sweet william that you desire to propagate can be increased by layering. To prolong the season of blooms remove spent flowers from dahlias every other day. Sow seed of hardy annuals. Weeds are now growing rapidly and should be hoed up at every opportunity. The Vegetable Garden Fruit trees can be planted from next month onward, but plots should be worked now to receive them. , Cabbage, cauliflower and spinach can be sown for winter cutting. Clear off all crops as they mature and prepare soil for other crops. Make another sowing of carrots. Plant out celery, leeks and silver beet. Cut herbs when in flower and dry in the shade. Sow lettuce in a semi-shaded situation and water the bed at frequent intervals. Thin out seedlings as growth demands.

BULBS TO PLANT For Spring & Summer Flowers RECOMMENDED VARIETIES Bulbs are long-suffering and rarely fail so completely when not put in the ground at the right time as expert opinion forecasts. We are apt to takd advantage of this knowledge and postpone the work of planting till frost has put an end to the last of the summer Howers and brought down the autumn-tinted leaves. Those who will plant bulbs in April must do so, for advice is of no avail to the unwise. Yet the experience of gardeners goes to show that early-autumn planting assures "far better results during the following spring. First disappointments are always hardest to endure; we shall do well to try and avoid them. It is very pleasant to be able to include a few of the newer daffodils in one’s selection. They cost more than the older ones, but half a dozen bulbs of a few of them are a very pleasant and perhaps a profitable investment. Hyacinths and the tulips that bloom in September are the first of the largeflowered bulbs to furnish brilliant colour in spring. They are ideal for tilling formal flower beds near the house. I wonder that iris reticulata is not planted more freely. It is admirable for planting in borders by the house wall. New Bulbs You Should Plant. Included in this season's catalogues are many new bulbs which are well worth growing. Pride of place must be given to Romulea sabulosa. This is without doubt one of the world’s most fascinating flowers. Blooms are borne on 10-inch stems, the colour being a combination of rose, crimson lake and scarlet. A black-green throat emphasizes all colours. The texture of the flower has a satin sheen which makes it a perfect'specimen. It is an African bulb and revels in a warm, sunny aspect. The inoraeas also hail from South Africa and merit a place in every garden. These ’’veldt, irises” are unrivalled for charm and colour and will gladden the heart of any flower-lover. Specially recommended sire the Villosy hybrids, which are improvements on the popular ’‘peacock iris.” The colour range is extensive and includes buffs, apricots, pinks and purples. The bulbous irises are always popular, and ns cut flowers there are few more useful plants. The Dutch family give much pleasure, specially when the varieties Wedgewood and Imperator, two popular shades of blue, are included. Another bulbous iris that is almost unique is Juncea, which has flowers of the purest golden yellow. The colour is so outstanding that it always attracts favourable attention The lilies are growing in popularity, and when given a reasonable opportunity have few rivals in the world of flowers. Until a few years ago, the madonna and tiger were the only varieties in general cultivation, tmt thanks to the enterprise of nurserymen more than -10 varieties are now procurable in New Zealand. Varieties that arc sure to give joy to the grower are Coneolor, a dainty type with star-shaped, orange scarlet flowers; Tlansoni, bright yellow flowers: I’ardalinum, orange-red reflexed flowers; Tenuifolium, a dwarf, specially recommended for the rock garden. Has vivid scarlet flowers. 4