HYDRANGEAS

Evening Star, Issue 21636, 3 February 1934, Page 23

HYDRANGEAS

These ale now making a wonderful display and ue.ug very tuirsty subjects they need a u:,i.y supply oi water. Also the hydrangea is a gross feeder, and can do with any amount of manure at the time of planting and in the way of topdressings througuout the growing season (writes " Lorna,” in the ‘ Manawatu Daily Times ’). if planting in the autumn mix in a liberal quantity of lime with those whicli are desired to give pink flowers, and alum with the blue ones. Give the plants another dose in the way of topdressing, Jetting the solution stand for twelve hours belore applying around the plants in spring. , . , But the autumn dressing is the most necessary of all in the way of colourful treatment. A great favourite which lends itself to the most deightful pink tints is the variety “ Lancelot,” with its large trusses of blooms with serratededged petals. This is a nice dwarf variety and the heads of bloom are still attractive well on through the winter, the crimson tints setting off the green. If your plot is now vacant where yon propose growing a group of these delightful shrubs it is not too early to get it into order now. The ground should be well trenched, and if there are plenty of old bones around, use them in the bottom spit and work in animal manure in the top soil. Keep the plot well hoed until the plants are set out. If pot grown they can be planted at any time, otherwise it is best to defer planting until the autumn rains commence, but early planting usually gives the best heads of bloom the following season. Cuttings may be taken at the present time, kept moist and well shaded, and fairly good results will follow.