Garden and Field

Manawatu Times, Volume XLXI, Issue 3481, 15 December 1926, Page 4

Garden and Field

The most important work In the flower garden is the planting out of the summer and autumn bedding annuals, a work which has been much delayed owing to the long spell of unseasonable weather. Clear away all that is useless in the borders and fill every available nook and corner with beautiful annuals, whose bright and gorgeous colourings add so much to tho beauty and charm of the garden. Another important duty at this period of the year is tho planting of Dahlias and Chrysanthemums, which are to glorify the garden during the autumn months, owing to the lateness of the season there is still time to plant these desirable subjects. Small groups of Dahlias or Chrysanthemums, or even solitary plants, at the back of the herbaceous bordcr will be a boon, for when summer things are fading these flowers will be at their best. The stately Paeony Dahlias arc the best for this purpose, as their blooms stand well up above the foliage on stiff stems. Spaces in shrubberies may with advantage be filled with these where their bright colourings, set Off by the green background, will challenge attention from the farthest side of the garden. A sowing of Sweet Peas may also bo made, choosing a place whore the summer sun’s fiercest rays do not penetrate. Tho present is a good time to sow seeds of such things as Anemones, Ranunculus, Wallflowers, Lupins, Iceland Poppies, and other hardy perennials. These will have grown into sturdy little plants for spring blooming and spring planting. Cuttings may also be struck from the best Pansies, inserting them in a cool, shady, position. Porget-me-nots which have finished blooming may be removed from tho border, their place

(Specially Written for the “Times” by “LORNA")

being filled with some bright annuals. If the discarded plants are thrown in some corner they will drop plenty of seeds that will germinate very freely and so supply plants for the following early spring display. Clumps of bulbs in the borders should have their foliage neatly tied up in order to leave more room for the spreading annuals. It is a mistake to cut tho foliage down, as the bulbs will not bloom so well the following season. Most of the Bearded Flag Irises have finished blooming and may be increased by sub-divi-sion successfully. The rhizomes should not be planted deep. Pansies and Violas. Another work fl which may be successfully undertaken is to increase your stock of Viola plants by inserting cuttings now which will make sturdy little plants for late autumn planting. Violas make charming small beds, and also look well used ag a ground-work for Hoses, especially the standards. This, however, should not be carried too far, as when the whole bed is covered there is little chance to care for tho Roses, but a double or treble row all round the border is a decided asset to its general attractiveness. They also give a nice finish to the herbaceous border, and few plants remain in bloom for so long a period. Under favourable conditions they will bloom from early spring right into the autumn months. Anyone having to buy new plants will do well to obtain self-coloured varieties, that Is those having only one colour in tho flower. Some of the blotched, striped and shaded varieties are very pretty when viewed closely, hut do not look so well as the seifs in borders. A notable exception can, however, be made In favour of tho bronze shaded strains. These vary

considerably in their colouring, a good strain giving exquisite shades of bronze, velvety brown, and old gold shades, which all blend charmingly together. There is nothing to surpass these for richness of colouring. They r.ro also largely used by florists and tho market grower would And them a useful asset.

The Viola is also a good plant for growing in the shade, and for all bedding purposes is superior to the Pansy, which is apt to get rather seedy and straggly looking just when the garden shonld be at Its brightest. The Viola has a much more compact habit of growth, and one plant will provide many cuttings. Pansies are at their best when given a retired bed with a rich cool soil, where they will have partial shade, though not actually under trees or bushes. The yellow self-coloured Viola is the earliest to bloom, and is valuable for edging the early spring borders. Seed could be sown with advantage, where cuttings and plants are not obtaintable. The Difference Between Pansies and Violas. This presents quite a problem to many persons exhibiting at horticultural shows, and exhibits of Pansies are often thrown out because a Viola is included among them, and vice versa. A good show Pansy should be perfectly round with at least the three lower petals blotched, the colourings to be clearly defined and not running into each other. The Viola is usually self-coloured, although a shading of another colour is permissible around the outer edges. There are no blotches, and the centre eye must be clearly defined. Little rays like pencil marks running out from the eye constitute a “break” from the true Viola, and although usually passed on the exhibition stand, it Is not a perfect specimen of a Viola bloom.

The Bedding of Antirrhinum (Snap-dragon),

Owing to the lateness of the season one of the most profitable plants to grow is the bedding Antirrhinums. These plants do not require so much moisture, and when once rooted will have enough vitality to keep blooming right into the autumn, and in early spring they will commence blooming again. In fact, whore grown in a sheltered warm comer, they will produce blooms almost throughout the whole of tho winter

months. The intermediate varieties are the best to grow for general purposes, as they do not require so much staking. The modern Antirrhinum has been improved almost beyond recognition, their truly marvellous and gorgeous colourings making them ideal bedding subjects. They stand the dry weather exceptionally well, and will thrive in dry spots under the over-hanging caves of modern dwellings, where most things would I suffer severely from lack of moisture. Colour in the Garden. There is much to delight the eye in the December garden. The autumn-sown Sweet Peas are perhaps the most arresting- Their charming colourings,- delightful perfume, and long spikes of bloom present a wonderful display, brightening up the garden Immensely. Each season brings some wonderful now colourings from tho hands of the hybridist. Rambler Roses will in a short space of time be at the zenith of their beauty and give promise of a wonderful display. Rambling over walls, pergolas and archways, there is nothing quite so gay and fascinating. In tho herbaceous border Antirrhinums, Dupins, Sweet Williams and Iceland Poppies arc adding a wealth of colour to the garden, while tho fragrant Pinks and Carnations will soon be at their best. Our Rose borders which have been devoid of colour arc at last beginning to show promise of better things and promising buds and stray blooms are making their appearance. The stately spikes of our beautiful Delphiniums form one of the many attractions of the garden, their lovely blue shadings adding a softer note to tho colour scheme. In sheltered gardens the subtle perfume of the blooms of Lilium Regale fill the air with fragrance and the .beautiful Christmas Madonna Lily is fast unfolding its satiny white blooms, the lovely trumpet-shaped blooms of the St. Joseph Lily (Longiflorum formosnm) are also opening their first blooms. Gay Shirley Poppies, nodding with every breeze, produce daily a wealth of gorgeous colouring in pink, red, salmon and blue shades. The Vegetable Garden. A few warmer and brighter days have enabled the gardener to push on a little with the much delayed work, which at this time of the year is usually well in hand. The lateness of the season is particularly noticeable in the length of time taken to bring the various crops to maturity. Peas and Broad Beans are taking a much longer time to mature their pods, and crops which should have been on the wane are only just beginning to fill. Tomato plants. Cucumbers, Marrows, etc., have made little headway, as the soil Is still on the cold side and anything requiring warmth is almost at a standstill. Such things as cabbages, Lettuce, Onions, Carrots, etc., are making more headway, and the important work of thinning these crops should not be neglected. A sowing of Carrot, Parsnip, Beetroot, Celery, Leek, Winter Cabbage, Cauliflower and Brocolll should be made; also plant out plants of the above mentioned for an earlier supply. There is no really slack time in the garden if the gardener aims at supplying vegetables all tho year round.

Make rotation sowings of French Beans, Peas, Lettuce, etc. The latter should be sown where they arc to remain at this time of the year, preferably in a shady position, and supplied with plenty of moisture. The essence of a salad depends on its crispness, and where there is a lack of moisture during the summer months this crispness Is lacking in our salad plants. Weeds and Lawn dippings. Lawns have required a good deal of attention, weather conditions being favourable for a good growth of grass. These same clippings are often wasted, a fact which is to bogreatly deplored, as much valuable humus is to be obtained to return to the garden when well rotted down. A place should always be set aside where these and all other weeds may be consigned. A good plan is to dig a' hole wherein all weeds and lawn clippings may be emptied, In fact anything in the way of green material which will rot down. This is also a good place to put all the autumn leaves as they fall, thus providing a large amount of valuable material to return to the soil, and for all potting purposes. 'the objectionable Dandelions on the lawn should bo attended to. These are always unsightly. The best plan is to cut them off with a sharp knife, placing a little weed killer, or benzine on tho exposed stem. This is best applied with the aid of a small hand syringe, as care must be taken that no drops fall on the surrounding grass. The improvement in the lawn will well repay this extra trouble. If weeds arc only cut off they will quickly make their appearance again.