In the Garden

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 100, 30 April 1927, Page 27

In the Garden

BY "PRACTICAL'

ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS

MANY VARIETIES AVAILABLE

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUIt

C.F."—Gooseberries should bo urimeil In the autumn, as soon as all leaves huve fallen. T-.he method is this: Cut back all side branches —laterals—to two ■ eyes and slightly shorten the main stem. All branches crossing others should be removed, and tho centres of the bushes be kept open, aa In tho caso of applo | trees. They are usually propagated by cuttings of new wood, about 8 Inches long, cut oil straight across, immediately below a joint. All eyes should be removed except the four I top ones, and the cutting should be Inserted two-thirds of its length in the ground, the base resting on some sand for preference. Mako the cuttings firm at tho base when planting, and they will soon root. All gooseberry bushes should be 'kept with a clean stem of at least Bin or Klin, without any branches. . . The trouble with your violets is probably caused by red spider 3. T:i!;e oir tho worst of the leaves and burn them, and then spray the plants with lime-sulphur sulmlon .it a streugth of 1 In 100. sSome >veaic solution of nitrate of noda, loz to tl-o gallon would probably give the leaves' a better colour. For black spot on roses spray with limo-sul;>\uir now and again when they broalc into leaf in spring. . . The bright red creeper, which is so largely used for covoring dry play bunks, is probably Gazanla, which has uriunt c-ran^u dalsy-)lke flowers. There aro several varieties of different colours, so it would be advisable If ordering to mention the colour of tho one you desire. "Neuchamp."—For your slope facing north I should advise planting some of the voronins and also heaths. Until you get. shelter up it would bo advisable to adhere to drawf-Riowini; subjects. For tho crumbling bank probably tho best thing to plant would be Ivy, as it would help to hold It in position. Kor the other unsightly bank any of the creeping mescmbryanthemums, gazanla, or polygnnum would do. For a fence Escalonla or Taupata would be better than Al;o Akc, which Is subject to an unsightly blight. Escnlonla makes an excellent close hedge, well clothed to tho base, and the leaves being small do not look unsightly when cut. Tho Collage Is a pretty dark green, making a striking contrast with the bright red flowers. .

The planting season for all kinds of trees, shrubs, fruit trees, and bushes will soon be hero, and it is as well to consider those which are most suitable for the various purposes and localities. The importance of early, and thorough preparation of tho ground has already been dealt ■with. It can safely bo said that very many failures aro due solely to neglect of this important work. An-

other matter worth consideration is gutting in orders to the nurseries early. Towards the end of tho season stocks aro often getting low and inferior plantt are sometimes supplied on this account. Ornamental shrubs may ho dividod into several difforent groups: Berrying shrubs, flowering shrubs, shrubs which have pretty autumn foliago, and dociduous shrubs with coloured stems. Each of those groups might also bo further divided into difforent seasons and localities. Many varietios will not stand frosts, whilo. others will not Buvvivo tho salt air of sbasido localities. While all may bo suitable for largo gardem or. parks it is a mistake to grow largo troos in small gardens. In such surroundings thoy look out of place, besides making it almost imposaiblo to grow other things./ FLOWERING SHRUBS. The following in a list of good floworing ahrubgj not by any moans complete, but giving a fair solcction for gonoral garden purposes:— Luculia Gratissima, ono of tho best winter-flowering shrubs for warm situations. Will not stand frosts or cold cutting winds. In favourable situations sheltered from tho prevailing winds, and where hard frosts aro not prevalent, those shrubs do weir and aro eovored with clusters of their pretty pink, scented blooms in tho middlo "of tho winter when flowers are very scarce. Good, loamy soil Buits thorn best. Thoy ■ are natives of tho lower slopes of tho Himalayas. Arbutus Uncda, known as tho strawborry tree, bears clusters of croamy whito blossoms very much resembling Lily of tho Vallby. followed by beautiful berries. This is a particularly useful shrub.for seaside gardons, flourishing in spite of tho salt-laden air. Rhododendrons and azaleas aro too woll known to need description. Tlioro aro very many varieties, all beautiful in thoir way. Thcso shrubs rcquiro a moißt, partially-shaded position, in soil quite free from link. When plunting, the ball of soil should bo left undisturbed as much ai possiblo, as the roofs are very fine and matted. Leaf mould and peat aro particularly good for these shrubs. They aro natives of China and India, some of tho Hjma- •* ai\ v»rio(;iel1 boin £ sweot-seontod, notably Fragrantissima. . ' ' Ericas (heuths) aro splendid oniamental shrubs, producing abundant spikes of waxy flowors of all shades of white, pink, red, and yellow. Theso also, object to lime, and loaf mould or bush soil suits thorn best Caryoptoris mastacantlms, tho blue spira, grows to about 3ft high, and wnen happy produces masses of. 1 tiny cloudy blue flowors quite a distinct shade. Ordinary gardon\soil suits: this sUtud. Cantua dipendens, a shrub which is not quite hardy, must bo protoctod from frost. The flowers avo tubular of a peculiar shade of rod and * yellow The shrubs should bo cut hard back after flowering, when they send up strong young growth, upon which flowers are produced tho following season If not out back,;tho plants become very straggly. Ordinary garden soil suits them. Choisya tornatu (Mexican Orange blossom) is a free flowering shrub growing to Gft high. Its flowers are produced at the extremity of every branch, in dense clusters, sweet scented white. Ordinary garden soil suits thorn' and thoy are' very hardy. Sydonia .Taponica includes several varieties, with red, pink, «nd whito flowers borne on the bare stems in late winter or early spring. They may bo grown as somi-cliinbers, but do not flower very freely until well established, so should not bo disturbed. Daphne is a sweet scented spring flowering Bhrub, which should be found a place in every garden. The flowers are somewhat insignificant, but this ia more than compensated for by thoir delicious perfume. Plenty of limo should bo applied to the soil, and the

plants kept moist during the rlrv weather.

Plumbago oapensis ia a shrub with beautiful wedgwood blue flowers, which does well in this district. Ia not particular as to soil or position. Cut back fairly hard 1 after flowering. Poinciana regia (royal peacock flower), a shrub with acacin-like' foliage* which bears corymbs of flowers of bright scarlet, with red ami' yellow stamens, is very striking, not hardy, but will grow in favoured positions in coastal districts. Lasiandra is a beautiful shrub, the flowers of which arc a deep purple, from 4 to 5 inches across. It will not stand hard frosts. Lasiandra niacranthia grandiflora is the best variety to grow, the flowers being larger. Kalmia latifolia (Calico bush) has flowers of a pretty shade of pink of a unique shape. It is claimed to be one of the most beautiful flowering shrubs in cultivation, but is somewhat difficult to manage. Like rhododendrons aud heaths, it dislikes lime and prefers a peaty soil. Plant in a sheltered position, where the foliago will not be damaged by wind. Prostranthcra (Australia mint) is quite hardy, and with jutHciouß pruning grows into a compact plant producing quantities of violet coloured flowers in spring. Viburnum is a valuable family of shrubs, all producing white or pink Uowers, which are followed by red berries in autumn. The foliage also changes to beautiful tints of red. V. Carlesii is a comparatively new introduction, bearing heads of waxy pink flowers delightfully perfumed. Syringa Lilac is always popular on account of the perfume of the flowers, which are borne in the spring. Besides the common English lilac, thcro arc many others, some of which are undoubtedly s.n improvement. The Persian lilac bloom early, the flowers being lighter than the English. They may bo had cither in white or lilac shades. Kerria Jnponica is a spring flowering shrub having yellow, blooms. It has a spreading habit of growth, and may be had with cither double or single flowers. It is very hardy, and is a good subject for ; a shady place. Philadelphus (Mock Orange) includes scented, and grow freely in any ordiuers, some double. They ar,o very sweet scented, an dgrow freely in any ordinary garden soil. Jasmine has starry flowers which are sweetly scented and produces freely. The plants do well in any gooil garden soil, and -jnay bo utilised for covering fences, etc., as they havo a semi-climbing habit. There are yellow flowered varieties as woll.ns white, tlio double yellow being particularly good. Other branches of this subject will be dealt with in subsequent notes.

Owing to the warmth derived from a inino which has been -on fire for many montliß, vegetables grown on allotments at Redhill, near Dudley, have been reaching record sizcß.