Correspondence.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3817, 9 April 1898, Page 2

Correspondence.

A SHRUB TO WITHSTAND THE SALT SPRAY, i ! TO THE EDITOR. | It apparently is not generally known that the very beautiful and graceful shrub Tamarix Gallica will withstand the suit spvay equally as well as the Tuapata. During the gales last year we had a small plant (a rooted cutting) of each in the same bed, the only difference being that the Tuapata had partial shelter, whilst the Tamarix was fully exposed. The latter certainly shed a few leaves, but none of the young shoots were killed, and to-day it is in lull flower (of which 1 send you a spray), ii two-year-old tree standing over five feet high. I find it has long been grown> j in England on the sea-coast, and in the- , (sle oi Wight it is planted along the sea I wall, where the spray continually sweeps over it. The following description is from Cassell's Popular Gardening :— " Tamarix Gallica " — " Itsminute heath-like leaves and dense spikes of small reddish flowers render it very conspicuous, anil totally unliko uny shrub belonging to any other family. It is invaluable for planting near the sea, when it thrives in spots wheru sen i eel y any olhcr shrub can bu induced to grow. Inland, however, it attains a considerable size — we hnve> seen specimens about 20ft high — and its: feathery branches when laden with blossoms attract tho attention of even the least observant. TheTatnarixes are^ i generally found wild in dry sandy spots,, so they should not be planted where there is any stagnant moisture." Very few of the nurserymen here catalogue it,, and it is termed by those who do, the dowering cypress, with no mention of its properties tor withstanding tho *alt spr.iy. Hoping the above may prow- of value to those who are looking forsoin» thing to plant, pretty, nipid growing, and vet, hardy. — [ am, ie, j W. A. LIMHUICK. Manaia, April 7.