Garden Circle

Hutt News, Volume 21, Issue 1, 4 June 1947, Page 5

Garden Circle

ELECTION OF OFFICERS ADDRESS BY AIK. WHITE Id opening tin 1 annual meeting ol the Mutt Valley Horticultural Society Garden Circle tin chairman. Mr. Win. Smith, welcomed the new members ami trusted they would (iml the Circle a happy medium in their gardening activities. Mr. Win. Smith was re-elected chairman; Miss C. A. Fraser, lion, secretary; committee, Mesdames H B. Gordon, H. .Mitchell, H. Robson, and Wirrn. Miss A. G. Wilson, Messrs. W. Johnston and W. H. Wilson Following tlie annual meeting a talk on “Landscape Gardening" was given hv Mr. A. White, Superintendent of Reserves. “We all cherish tiie hope that we will bo able to leave this world bolter than we found it, and we could attain this end by planting a tree," said Mr. White. The first challenge hi* would like to make was about tin* boundart lencetj. Fifty or tin per cent, ol the fences were in a disreputable condition- brick, concrete, ami wood. They could make better use of their shrubs. Walls caused draughts, which could be deflected by planting trees In many cases where fences were taken down lawns would be a big improvement. When making a garden it should not be separated from the architecture of the .house. The art of gardening was lacking more than the science of gardening.

Lay-out of Garden

Most gardens were lacking in loggias and modern gardens were devoid of a lay-out. In the lay-out of a cottage garden one should make the most of the area at one’s disposal, as these gardens could be most attractive, especially with a winding crazy path from the road to the house, at the sides of which groups of tulips and polyanthus could make a border. On a boundary fence shelter played an important part, and common shrubs could form a regular hedge. Along the front the lawn would be the main setting. Paths should be right. They shout'd be curved paths. The house should be built above the level of the street. Too many features should not be attempted. One feature, a little rock garden with a sloping aspect, was best. One could be made on the flat away from the roots of trees. It should be fully exposed.

Grow More Koses Half enough bad not been made of the growing of roses in the Valley, continued Mr. White. Beds of one kind mane the best show, while standards were at their best set in grass away from the others. Climbing roses made fine hedges. When speaking of the water feature in the garden the informal pond was the best. Bog gardens were difficult to keep but were interesting Fuchsias and hydrangeas should be on the shady side of the garden. Sweet-scented flowers like daphne should he near the path or house. Many kinds of flowering cherries lent beauty to the garden and there should always be space for a weeping variety in the front lawn. Weening bircli let in a lot of light through its foliage.

In spring planning for landscape work daffodils should ho grown in groups four inches apart, groups of a kind, not mixed. In growing mixed

beds of wallflower the trend should be to blend rather than to contrast. Mr. White illustrated some of his points with drawings on the blackboard. He also answered questions.