GARDENING NOTES

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 3 June 1932, Page 7

GARDENING NOTES

Q. HEDGE PLANTS. (By “Waratali.”) The value of hedges is immeasurable as a protection from boisterous winds, it being almost impossible to grow anv kind of flower or vegetable plants without their protection, unless walls or 'paling fences are provided, and in most cases these are too expensive. A list of hedge plants is given below from which anyone contemplating planting may make a selection. Seme are suitable for both ornament and shelter, while others are only suitable for ornamental purposes such as the division of large garden areas. Abelia. Floribunda.—This is an ever green, very quick growing and attractive hedge plant, suitable for shelter or ornament as it is in flower all the year round. Acacia Baileyana.—This makes a good tall breakwind for large areas, best planted in two or more rows. Acacia Decurrens Mollis. —This Is also an excellent variety, very quick growing and if necessary may be used for firing or 'posts. Acacia verticillata. —A prickly species which makes a good close hedge about six feet high. All three varieties are evergreen.

Ake-Ake.—The golden -variety is very popular and looks very beautiful, but, unfortunately, the plants are subject to attack by a. root fungus which causes them to die out. Scale also attacks the plants, but this may be destroyed by means of a red-oil solution, one part to forty parts of water. Azaleas.—The evergreen azaleas make a very beautiful divisional hedge in large gardens Berberis (Barberry).—This makes a very good hedge for a large area and requires uo protection from stock. There is a seedless form which does not spread by either seeds or suckers Evergreen. Bo'xthorn. —This is suitable for large areas and is not recommended for town gardens, as it requires cutting so freouently and is also dangerous because of the poisonous qualities of the thorns Brooms. —Evergreen. May be had in three flowering varieties, white, brown, gold and yellow. Very hardy and wind resistant and quickly make showv hedges. Oallistemon. —Makes a good division hedge. Evergreen with bright crimson flowers. Cosuarina stricta (the Oak'). —A nnick growing tree, verv hardy, may be grown as a low hedge or tall as desired.

Coprosnia Baueri (Taupata)This is an ideal plant for positions exposed to sea-winds; evergreen with bright shining green leaves, very hardy and compact. Cryptomeria elegan® (Japanese lied Cedar). —Very suitable for a tall breakwind foliage, changes from green to rod in autumn. Very hardy, but only suitable for planting inland.

Cnpressus Lawsoniana.— I he finest shelter tree for planting inland, may be used as a tall break-wind, or as a trimmed hedge, from six feet in height utjw aids. Evergreen.

Cnpressus macrocar pa.—Very suitable for breakwinds or hedges. Hardy and qick growing. Should be spaced 'on- feet apart in hedges and eight to twelve feet apart for breakwinds. Cydonia.—Very suitable as a flowering hedge, deciduous, flowers followed by fruit in autumn. Cytisus proliferous alba, (tree lucerne).- —The quickest and best temporary hedge plant; evergreen, will grow five feet in one season. Eleagn.uß japomca . Evergreen, makes quick growing hedge, but should not be planted near a house as it attracts swarms of flies in the summer. Requires trimming frequently- to keep it compact. Escallonia Exiniensis. —One of the most popular evergreen hedges, very suitable for small gardens as it may be trimmed very narrow. There are three other varieties of Elscallonia—maerantha, pendula and rubra, but exoniensis is the best. Guava.—Makes a useful evergreen divisional hedge in small gardens. Edible fruit is produced in the winter. Two varieties, yellow and purple fruited. The plants are liable to damage bv heavy frosts. t Hydrangea hortensis. —Deciduous, very suitable in shady positions or where a compact mass of foliage is reqU Laurel—Very hardy, only suitable for inland districts. Lavandula. —Evergreen, three varieties English, French and Dutch, very suitable for dwarf divisional, hedges, and the flowers are useful for perfume. Li si strum (privet).—Three varieties one of which has golden foliage, not suitable for small gardens as the roots extend over a large area ajid impoverish the soil. Lonieera liitada—An attractive evergreen with small glossy leaves on twicev stems. Pittosporum (Karo). —Three varieties, but crassifolium is the best, may be used as a hedge or allowed to grow up into large bushy trees. Evergreen and perfectly hardy and will withstand salt winds. Pod oca runs totara. —A cry hardy evcigreen. makes a good divisional hedge, b”t somewhat slow growing. Tecoma capensis.—A vigorous growing evergreen with dark foliage ana orange-scarlet flowers, will grow n, shade. liable to damage by frosts when Veronica. —Very suitable evergreen, for dwarf ornamental hedges, flowers of various colours.

ROUTINE WORK. Riant all kinds of shelter, ornamtintal and fruit trees, hedge plants roses and perennial flowering plants. Should trees arrive when the soil is very vet, unpack the bundles. dig a hole large emmo-h to take the roots and cover with soil until conditions are favoural> Prime an”classes of deciduous fruit trees and hushes ais soon as the leaves ™Sprav fniit trees with lime-sulphur solution, one part to ten Parts of water or Bordeaux solution, one pound t„ five Gallons of water to destroy the snores of fungoid diseases, eggs of insects, moss and lichens. Sow broad beans. Lift carrots and beet that are enough. Riant cabbages. . Thin out autumn sown crops of spinach, swedes or turnips.