In the Garden

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 152, 30 June 1938, Page 29

In the Garden

By "Practical."

This -column 11 intended principally loi gardeners with email plots, ana tne aim is to make it as practical and useful as possible. Inquiries.on any matters of gardening Interest will be welcomed. The rule for correspondence Is that all communications most be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, not for publication, hilt as a'guarantee of good faith. This rule will be strictly adhered.to. This fa your column—make use of It SOME MORE FLOWERING SHRUBS

Astrum elegans. This is a shrub which attains a height of six feet or more and bears clusters of bright red, heathlike flowers on the terminals of the branches. It was formerly known as habrothamnus elegans.

There is another form known as the "night-scented jasmine," which has clusters of creamy-yellow flowers, highly scented in the evenings. Kalmia latifolia requires the same conditions as a rhododendron. The flowers are pink and produced freely when the plants are happy. This is a low growing shrub attaining, at most, a height of 5 feet. Kerria japonica.—There are both single and double forms of this shrub which throws up long wands each season, the yellow blocfms being produced all along the stems. Romney coultiri, the Californian poppy, has very beautiful large white flowers with golden centres. The large petals, are crimped. Requires to be grown' \vhere it has shelter from the worst winds, otherwise the blooms get blemished. Height 6 feet. Leonotis ieonurus, lion's tail.—The floWers are orange-scarlet freely produced in whorls." Does particularly well in sandy ground. ■' Luculia gratissima.—One of the best of shrubs for winter flowering, producing pink, scented blooms in clusters during June and July. : Not quite hardy but does well in seaside gardens if igiven a little shelter. Height about 6 feet. Philadelphus.—There are several varieties of these white-flowered, scented shrubs, more' commonly known as "mock orange." Plumbago capensis.—Flowers in the autumn. Colour, pale lavender blue, a charming shade., Grows to about 5 feet and when given a little, shelter produces freely. Prostanthira.—Australian mint bush —has violet coloured flowers in abundance. Upright growing and hardy. Proteas.—These are South African plants but quite hardy, in coastal districts. There are several varieties, mostly pink or creamy white. Flowers

are produced freely over a long period. Fairly hard pruning is necessary to keep them bushy. Flowering Currant—Ribes sangiuneum—is worth growing, being one of the earliest of spring-flowering shrubs. Flowers are produced freely. There is a newer form with bright red flowers. This is Ribes . gordonianum.

■ Rondeletia amoena.—This is an uncommon shrub which has beautiful pink, waxy flowers. Growing to a height of 3 or 4 feet. Not quite hardy but does quite well in coastal districts where heavy frosts are not experienced. Genista, or Broom—There are many hybrid varieties of brooms with beautiful flowers of various colours. All are worth growing. They are very hardy and do well on any soil and in any position. Can be grown successfully on clay banks.' Lilacs. — These spring-flowering shrubs are. worthy of a place in every garden. Always popular for their early flowers and, delightful scent. They do best in soil which, does not dry out too readily. Should not be allowed to sucker. Rhododendrons and azaleas all belong to the same family and require the; same conditions. For preference they like a peaty, soil and partial shade but these are not essential. They are surface rooting and suffer badly during hot dry spells when they should be mulched to keep their roots cool and be supplied with water in liberal quantities at frequent intervals. Hydrangeas are indispensable. They are so easy to grow and so free flowering that they always earn their keep. Some of the newer varieties are well worth growing. As a rule the modern kinds are dwarfer in habit. There are many beautiful shades while some have serrated petals. The nature of the soil determines the colour,-pink prevailing in some localities and blue in others. '

Heaths are good flowering shrubs and take up little Tooni. They like a moist position provided the drainage is adequate and prefer a soil rich in tiumus, but no lime.