WORK IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 25494, 26 May 1945, Page 5

WORK IN THE GARDEN

ROCK GARDENS. When the climatic conditions improve and the excessive moisture drains away it -will be advisable to look over the rock garden, where there are sure to be many little jobs which require attention. There will be dead flowers to be removed, and also weeds which have accumulated. It will also be found that many of the larger and stronger-growing plants have a tendency to overcrowd the weaker surrounding plants. These should be cut back or divided into smaller clumps and planted into pockets where weaker growing. plants such as choice alpines have died out. Through the moist conditions-* which have prevailed throughout the past season many varieties of alpines which require drier conditions will have died out entirely, and weeds will have destroyed many clumps as well. It may be that more colour is needed on other parts of the rockery. It is most important where planting that strong-growing varieties be placed to protect the slower and weaker alpinps. It is also essential at this stage to renovate the pockets with new compost so that the winter rains will wash it down to the roots, but'care must be exercised that the right material is used, as what is required for one variety is unsuitable for others. But one can generally worik in well-prepared compost, which should contain plenty of well-rotted leaves; also clean sand and oyster grit; but lime must be omitted, as several alpines are not happy where too much lime is present. Again, an application of lime can be applied when mixing for the strongergrowing plants. It must also be remembered that these interesting plants enjoy plenty of good fibrous loam and sandy ■ peat to be a success, but the majority thrive in good, rotten open material. One of the things, which-is not correct in our rock gardens is that plants are allowed to cover the whole face of the rocks. , Except with the close-growing varieties of alpines, this is. a mistake, as rocks with a rough, surface certainly set off not only the flowers, but also the foliage, which in many cases is more beautiful than the flowers. . , -.'•■'

Where new plants are required, especially _ the choice alpines, it, is. better to wait until the early spring months, as our climatic conditions are not favourable for the planting of these beautiful "plants until there are signs of •warmer weather. ■ -\ , ' Those who intend to build new rockeries, for which many of our gardens in and around Dunedin are most suitable, should from now on prepare the sites. Many-unsightly banks can be made into things of beauty. ' Many sites which we see at the present time where homes are being -built will never be suitable for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, which should be the first consideration for a home, but such sites would be ideal for the formation of rockeries, at a little expense. The rocks should be large arid rough, as rockeries cannot be built in a satisfactory.manner when the rocks are smooth. It is-important to copy nature as nearly, as possible when placing the stories, or the result will-loot man-made. ■ A visit to a quarry, should be made to select the rock'or disappointment will be caused by the wrong shapes and sizes that may be sent. The more rugged they are the more suitable for , the building of a natural rock garden.; If the subsoil of the site is composed of clay this should: be forked up fairly deep to ensure good drainage before the .pockets are made up with the mixture to fill them, or there will be a danger, of losing, many plants from bad drainage. If the rockery is built throughout the winter months the poc-kets-will be in ideal condition . for planting.in the early spring, when the plants will start right away into growth and flower. .-•... Where choice alpines are available the young plants could be planted in boxes and placed in a cold' frame, where they would be ready when planting time .arrives to transplant into -the prepared pockets. A list of .choice varieties will be given in later notes. THE CULTIVATION OF LILIUMS.

Among the most popular of our summer blooming bulbs are, no doubt, the liliums, and the following varieties can be grown successfully, in these districts:—Lilium . auratum, speciosum, regale, candidum. Roeziel and gigantedum have been a great success and lovely spikes have been seen. We shall not forget the wonderful spike of lilium auratum staged by Mr Smith, of Anderson's Bay, at the autumn show. There is no doubt that our soil and climatic conditions are most suitable for their cultivation, as they do not enjoy dry situations, but positions moist and partially -shaded by shrubs such as azaleas and rhododendrons. If the 6ite is ■ a dry one a heavy mulch of rotted leaf mould or compost should be applied to help to keep the roots moist and cool throughout the summer months. The surface must- be kept open. This will keep the soil cooler and also retain the moisture. Liliums enjoy plenty of liquid manure throughout the growing season, once or even twice a week, especially where the growth is strong and vigorous. . All stems should have a stake placed, to them, as many stalks are,, often broken off with the action of the wind. Even heavy rain will sometimes snap off the tender stems. From now on all the varieties except lilium cahdidmn (Christmas" lily) may be planted, but candidum takes very little rest after flowering, and then begins to make new foliage. At the present time the variety is making rapid growth, and if shifted into another site care must be taken not to disturb the roots in any way. The soil for the cultivation of all liliums must be well dug, and plenty of well-rotted material worked in before planting. If a good dusting of oyster grit (oceanic lime) is placed for the bulb to rest on this will keep the heel of the bulbs clean. It is not advisable to dig in fowl manure fresh from the pens, but when prepared and mixed with leaf - mouldy it can then be used' with safety. "If they are planted in groups, say, according to size, from five to seven bulbs together they are certainly more effective,rand the feeding can be carried out better. F.S.P.