WORK IN THE GARDEN

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LXII, Issue 14, 21 February 1941, Page 2

WORK IN THE GARDEN

TASKS FOB THE AUTUMN

~■ PREPARING HERBACIOUS BORDER

A most interesting address on gardening topics, especially on work for the autumn, was given by the Rev. Father Taylor, of Southbridge, at the prize-giving social of the Leeston Horticultural Society on Wednesday night, special reference being made to the value of the herbacious border.

Autumn time suggested the planting of spring bulbs, he said. The majority of these required a sunny situation with plenty of humus in the ground. A very good standby was bonemeal. Other spring flowers—lceland poppies, violas, pansies, primroses and similar plants required deeply-dug ground and deep cultivation. Old stack-bottom or well-decayed manure should be put in the bottom spit. Polyanthi required the same treatment and excellent results would be obtained. Sowings -of seeds of perennials and some of the annuals should be made as soon as possible, while attention ought also to be given to the autumn plants now in full bloom or soon to blossom.

This was the season of the year for fruiting, and there would soon be wonderful displays of colours iin trees, shruhs and plants in glorious tints of gold, purple, silver and red. The speaker named several varieties of seasonal shrubs and berries and spoke appreciatively of the crab apples. He remarked that one Canterbury firm of nurserymen had produced 30 named varieties of crabs and had 50 unnamed.

Remarking that lovers of beauty had a wonderful blessing in the glories of autumn foliage, he explained that the colouring in the leaves was caused by the action of the hot sun fixing certain substances and materials in the leaves, such as sugar and other carbohydrates. The cold nights prevented the flow of these materials, and confined them to the leaves, this eventually bringing about glorious autumn tints.

Speaking of the herbacious border, Father Taylor said that the gardeners of New Zealand were not herbacious border conscious like the gardeners of Great Britain, where for long years there had been continuity of gardening along traditional lines. It was not fully realised in this country the splendid effects and colour schemes which wgre possible from such borders. Perhaps the reason why fx was not so popular in New Zealand was that it was not easy to develop and maintain, for it took several seasons, up to five years to reach a useful stage. If a gardener were prepared to undergo hard work, to profit by his mistakes and be patient for results, he would certainly achieve success. Another reason might be attributed to the variation in climatic conditions between Great Britain and New Zealand. Nevertheless he had seen one or two excellent herbacious borders lin and around Leeston. A position facing west or nor'-1 west would be the most suitable, for it was desirable to obtain the maximum of sunlight. With everything else suitable, an open sunny position would do. Approach to the border should be made from a wide

sweep of lawn. The line should not be'rigid or straight but should be on a curve. A very good size would be 12 x 60. There must be a background, of trees and shrubs for preference, but if these could not be managed, of a live fence or an iron or board fence over which a creeper had been grown. With such easygrowing and excellent climbing plants available, such as Virginia creeper, he could not understand why more use was not made of them to cover bare surfaces.

The soil required to be deeply dug and trenched, incorporating stack-bottom or well-rotted manure. The autumn or spring were the best times to set the plants, but never in the depth of winter. Tallgrowing plants were usually set at the back, the medium in the centre, and the low-growing ones at the front. The border could be kept going by a gradual addition of suitable annuals. Occasional changes from the normal grouping could' be made effective. Care should be taken to obtain pleasing colour schemes and here again, the taste and judgment of the gardener could bring about effective groupings. Nature never went wrong in So far as colours were concerned; it was only humanity who caused them to clash. There were three primary colours, reds, yellows, and blues and in no order of plants were these three existing at the same time. There were red and yellow" roses but never a blue one. Whenever there was a possibility that two colours would clash, insert a white between them, for white was known as the peacemaker. The plants should be set in groups of 3, 5 or 7 according to their size and nature of growth.

At the conclusion of his address, Father Taylor exhibited some specimens of choice plants, including many of ornamental shrubs and berries, with the idea of emphasising the wide range available and their value displays in the late autumn and early winter.

On the motion of Mr S. Bongard, the lecturer was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks.