AZALEAS.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 15, 4 September 1930, Page 9

AZALEAS.

Wkat the Pahutakawa is; to the; . New, Zealand landscape in the summer, the Azalea and their relations, the Khoda- - ,dendron.s. are to the hills tind vaies of Japan, China, arid Northern India, •where they transform the very dullness ! of the hills into a glorious riot of; gay j' colours. ■■ , - >' '.■ ,•• . ■';:."• ■)', "What they do for their native land:' they can-do for our gardens on a small: I er scale, and no garden should be with- i out a few Azalea plants to brighten it up in Spring. The Aza^e^a. is not top,.pfl.rticulaii>as 1; to situation, provided it is shaded from the afternoon sun that is ; given'an easterly aspect. Planted on the east side/ of a fence it soon makes itself at^ . ; lionie. Aspot plants they a^H) very; easy to handle and make the bush house bright in the Spring time. Azaleas prefer a somewhat lighf; soil ill .which fVeir fine roots can *moye freely; Bef«re planting it is advisable to dig the soil over deeply and sdnsolidate it ; by tramping it down. .:•:" . - Avoid using lime on."or near youi"' Azaleas; they are one of the' low plants whih are lime haters. While this class of plant dislike nianvr« yet it is neeessaxy to give them some sdrt of feeding. The best method i 3 to inedrporate at the time of planting some very old,decayed manure, care being; taken not to give too much. We ; ■would/ suggest about a • barrowful to .:

about two square yards. This should ho mixed well into the soil. With, established plants a mulching of well rotted manure about flowering time is a great help to keep the fine roots damp during the summer months.

Owing to the extremely fine root system of the Azaleas none of the roots

go very deep, and as a consequence unless kept watered the plants are ""'kely to die. Frequent watering wit-h. the hose will also help to ' keep down the Azaleas great enemy:—the Thrip—which appear on them in thousands at times'. If hosing is found to bo-ineffectual, we 'should suggest spraying with nicotine and soft soap. This should dislodge

the enemy.

Azaleas grow" slowly and take quite a nunojber of years to make large plants but nice bushes about three feet across cam be had in about three years, which, will be covered. in flowers at flowiering time. For ,the suburban gardener three feet apart will be found sufficient to plant if several are being put in together. .. ''\ ' , ' '

Alba Magna (white), Deutehe Pere (double white), Due do Nassa (deep rose), Duchess de Nassa (semi double rosy scarlet), Empress of India (semi cloulblc, rosy salmon; carmine, blotch), Magnificat (rose,; lilac), ;Marqui& of Lome (bright orange)^.Princess Charlotte (rosie), 'Rbi de Holland ■ (brick red), Sir Charles Napier (-bright pink), Splendns (salmon)] Stella (orange scar-