GARDENING NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 April 1939, Page 3

GARDENING NOTES

FLOWERS FOR THE SPRING. (By “Well wisher’’). The dry spell of weather lias hampered the putting out of plants for Spring blooming and as soon as the soil becomes workable after rain, no time should be lost in planting out into their Winter quarters Sweet William and wallflowers and double daisies. These subjects make a nice show when early Spring flowers are. on the wane and when flowers are truly appreciated, and their homely smell make them doubly welcome. There was a time when the only Sweet William which was considered of any importance in gardens was the florists auricula-eyed—a strain rather than a variety inasmuch as there were certain differences of marking. These ringed floxvers have given way in most gardens, though not in ail. to self-coloured varieties such as Carmine Beauty and Pink and Scarlet Beauty, forms of dwarf habit, bushy tree flowering and sharp and striking in colour. One fears in recommending these worth-while varieties that our ancestors would not approve of them, as the tendency has always been among the older generation to stick to the same subjects year after year, but nevertheless the newer varieties are undoubtedly beautiful. These modern Sweet William are useful for forming clumps in the front area of mixed borders and also for bedding: but as regards beds, one must remember that Sweet. Williams do not lit in so conveniently between Spring and Summer beddors as wallflowers. their best flowering season being November and December. They come nearly but not quite, true from seed; slight differences of tone are apt to show themselves. It should he borne in mind that they •‘move” quite readily even when well advanced in growth, provided they are not allowed to suffer from want of wafer. Like Till of the dianthuses they appreciate a lime-dressed soil. The wallflower is best treated as a biennial, flowering profusely in Spring from seed sown outdoors the previous year. Its richness of colour and delicious seem are known world-wide: it. will thrive in most soils and should be planted hear the house so that the

perfume can be fully enjoyed. W allflotvers may be used alone in groups of lawn beds or may be associated with tulips and other plants. The increased range of colour in modern •wallflowers makes it possible to devise beautiful combinations which would not have been possible years ago. Do not. worry if the soil leaves the roots during transplanting operations but give a good watering afterwards and-no harm will follow. A sowing of Shirley poppies, calendulas, and larkspurs can be made now and all of these will be useful to till up gaps in the Springtime. Any primroses and polyanthus that are getting overcrowded can now be lifted up, divided and replanted: well prepared ground that has been manured will repay with bigger and better blooms. A sowing of sweet peas should now be made; a. wise plan is to plant well away from grass borders or where slugs are apt to dwell, and for shelter a few manuka twigs can be placed around them when frosts occur. Dahlias are still blooming well and should do so until frosts. All spent blooms should be nipped off and disbudding should be practised because a few good blooms are. nicer than a host of inferior quality. Staking and tying up will still be needed to show the flowers up to better advantage. CHRYSANTHEMUMS. The Queen of Hie Autumn, the chrysanthemum. will soon be having pride of place, and disbudding must be systematic. The terminal buds forming at the summit of the flowering shoots iare most suitable for freely bloomed I decorative hushes. Cor show purposes. ■ the peculiarities of every variety grown must be learnt by experience, by observation and by consultation with experts. (live each plant a strong stake and tie securely as the growths arc very brittle ami liable to be broken in windy weather. A light framework can Im built around the plums ami sacking ran be used- Io advantage in covering and protecting ; the blooms from frosts. Clive the : plants an application of liquid manure j once a week and so bring out the best ! blooms.

Bulb planting should be hurried on so that the bulbs will have every chance to consolidate themselves before the cold and frosts occur. It is common lo plant bulbs in grass plots nowadays. Daffodils are particularly

suitable and crocuses and snowdrops are also good, but hyacinths atid tulips should be kept for open soil. All the narcissi look nice in grass and the poelaz must be remembered for late blooming; do not plant in grass close to the house, as cutting has to be deferred. for the sake of the bulbs; and straggly grass is always unsightly. All spent blooms should be nipped off antirrhinums before seed pods form, so that a further crop of flowers will be encouraged. Canterbury bells and hollyhocks should be planted out for next year’s flowering. Ail Slimmer flowering herbaceous plants may be cut down as soon as the different species finish their course and the ground forked over lightly between the plants, this will keep down weeds and also make the soil ready for the frosts to penetrate. If lily of the valley has not been shifted for three or four years it should be donenow. splitting up the old clumps, digging the soil deeply ami adding leaf mould and cow manure and planting strong crowns just clear of each other and barely covered. Penstemons and Hydrangea can now he increased by cuttings inserted in sandy soil. Peonies may be lifted, divided and replanted this month, push this work on as peonies are early starters, rapid growers ami early bloomers, therefore growth finishes early. Choose a position sheltered from cold east and south winds in view of the early starting referred to, cultivate the soil deeply and incorporate manure liberally. Peonies that have to remain where, they have flowered, should lie dressed over to get rid of decayed stems and foliage and the soil stirred around them. Myosotis may be planted out. These can be associated in beds with late tulips to advantage. All spent animals should be removed to the coinpost heap and the plots kept clean so that the breeding places for vermin will be removed. Leaves from all deciduous shrubs and trees should he gathered up before they are blown about and deposited ill thy compost as they make a valuable ingredient for potting coinposts which will be in demand later on.