Garden Field

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6921, 29 May 1929, Page 3

Garden Field

(Specially written lor “Times” by Lorna.)

COLOUR IN THE GARDEN. Recent Rests have aided in adding a depth of colouring to our shrubs, noted for their gorgeous autumn tints. The maples (acers) have reached a state of perfection, and their colourings arc marvellous. It is at tills lime of the year that we realise the enormous advantage of providing shelter for those beautiful subjects. Tices that arc fully exposed have no claims t.o beauty, as the leaves are so badly marked and damaged by rough winds as to render them useless from a decorative point of view. A background of hardier shrubs is absolutely necessary to this type of tree. The foliage of the spindle tree is also at its best. This tree does not suffer so severely from exposed positions, the foliage is hardier, nevertheless, it will not set its worries so freely in unsheltered spots. One of the most altiaelive sights is the masses of dogwood. The large, willow-shaped leaves show beautiful dark colourings, |euhauced by striking crimson veinings and crimson stems. This hardy shrub is an attractive feature of (he landscape even when the leaves have fallen; the bright colour of its long stems showing effectively amongst cvcrgrtcn shrubs throughout the winter, The orange barked willow is also valuable for this purpose. In large shrubberies, its sunshiny colouring is always pleasing. In warm, sunny corners that most beautiful of all winter flowering shrubs (Luculia Gratissima Rosea) is fastopening its lovely pink, fragrant heads, of bloom. The colour is of that beautiful shell pink so much admired. As it is a little frost tender, it requires to be planted in a sunny corner, where it will bloom the winter through, lu type, the heads of bloom suggest a hydrangea, although the individual flowers are, not cpiitc so thickly placed.

Lasiandra Macrantha grauditiora is showing numerous flowers in rich royal purple. This too, is a wonderful winter flowering subject—if given a warm corner—being also slightly .frost- tender. Lasiandra Macrantha, is another type with smaller flowers, and usually blooms more freely during the autumn. The former is practically overbearing, .as at most seasons of the year, there arc occasional blooms to be found on it.

Many of the earliest of the Erica family arc brightening up the borders in tones of rose, purple and white. The berries of the cantoncastcrs are still making a wonderful display, while nearby trees of flowering cherries arc rich in autumn tints. The quiet days free from rough winds, have enabled us to enjoy their beauty for a much loDgcr period.

Work in the Plower Garden. Strike cuttings of hydrangeas and roses. Plant clematis, and all other climbers. Por exposed positions plant hardenbergias, these may be had in royal blue, pink, and white, and arc among the loveliest of spring blooming climbers.

Prepare rose borders. Plant roses. Plant all varieties of shrubs, hedge plants, and forest trees. Where the ground is not yet prepared, the planting of evergreens and eacrocurpa trees should bo delayed until itoly Ajugivlt. Atony (failures with these are due to planting while the soil is in too cold a condition.

Protect delphinium crowns from slugs, by dustiug occasionally with soot or ammonia. Recently planted stocks, and other things that please the palate of slugs, should receive occasional attention. Partly scooped out potatoes, turnips, beet, etc., placed among them will trap a good many of these pests. And seed sowing must now bc-conlined to boxes in sunny nooks. Wow in sandy, light soil. To grow clematis successfully, the roots require to be planted on the shady side of the trellis or pergola. If on a sunny wall, plant something shrubby and low i'rowing fronting them, in order to provide a shady root run. Plant fushias, and strike cuttings. Vegetable Garden.

Plant out lettuce, cabbage, and cauliflower for early spring use. These will need protesting from slugs until well grown. Lime all freshly dug ground. Dig in manure, trenching in all the green manure available, in the way of grass and succuleut weeds. Lawn slippings are also useful to dig in, especially on heavy soil. Keep autumn sown onions free from weeds. Continue to harvest and store all root crops, in order to prepare more ground for early spring crops. Treatment of Roses.

Lime seems to be about the last thing many think necessary to the good cultivation of the rose, and there are numbers of rose borders which have never known even a dustiug. Rose borders particularly need the corrective influence of lime, as they so frequently receive bavy doses of manure. All roses arc partial to a littlu lime, and a yearly dressing will also aid iu intensifying ttlxc colour', (’specially ,in those of flame, and sunset shades. Unfortunately, many of our loveliest roses require individual treatment. For instance, the beautiful Sunstar will cause much disappointment unless one gives it the most liberal treamenl. Ju fact, it. needs to be fed to excess. Queen Alexandra is another much admired rose that will not succeed with many growers. Doubtless it too, requires some special soil or treatment. Betty Uprichard docs best when not too heavily manured, with soil a trifle lighter than most roses like. Then there arc those roses which require severe pruning, and those which merely require the dead and least robust growths cut away. Some types will flourish well under almost any conditions. The amateur will do well to leave his or her choice lo the discretion of Ihc rose specialist who is familiar with the habits of

each species, merely specifying the colours needed. A bed of roses, loses much of its beauty if several of its occupants arc looking unhappy.

Many roses arc also bad starters and seem to be quite a while getting established. Sometimes this state of things is due to bad planting. Plant always at the same depth as indicated by the stem, and always see that the roots arc well spread out, and that no fresh manure comes in contact with them, tl pays to place a few spadefuls of a light loamy compact immediately around the roots, which enables the small fibrous roots to make a quick start. Plant, very firmly at nil times, but not, roughly, so as to damage the roots. If plants arrive when the soil i s over moist, dig them in until such time as the soil moves freely. Hydrangeas.

In favourable spots these handsome, hardy shrubs arc still blooming, but recent. frosts have damaged alt those in open borders. In order to produce tine heads of blooms, the plants should be cut hard back each season, and thinned out. Autumn pruned plants bloom earlier in the season, and where a prolonged display is liked, some could bo printed in autumn and others iu spring. Hydrangeas appreciate plenty of moisture, and grow luxuriantly in a somewhat shady spot that does not lack iu dampness. Where difficulty is experienced in getting plants to produce that lovely shade of blue so much desired, thoroughly work iuto tho soil around each plant, three pounds of powdered alum, or for potted plants one and a-half pounds, to each bushel of soil.

Where pink and red flowers arc hard to produce, add lime to the soil in. the ratio of one to live parts. This treatment should be applied during autumn or winter.

The many handsome types now obtainable in these showy shrubs, combined with their ease of culture, arc factors which have enabled them to gain iu popularity each season, I’lanted in massed effects, they show to wonderful advantage. A careful watch needs to be kept, on them during their first summer after planting, as they often suffer from lack of moisture. (Jonvulvus Mauritanicus.

There arc many species of convulvus, some of which are most desirable, while others, on account of their too generous root run, bccomo a nuisance as time goes on. The convulvus family is also known under the name of bindweed. Convulvus Mauritanicus is a most attractive perennial and may be safely planted iu most positions. It is a trailing species, but docs not lend itself to clinibing. Tho plant is a Teal sun-lover, and revels in the hottest places where tho soil is in good heart, and it is amazing the numbers of beautiful blue flowers with yellow anthers which arc borne upon this plant, the iirst appearing about the first week, in November, and so continuing until stopped by frost. During the hottest months, the plant is ono mass of blue, and a particularly pleasing delphinium shade ,too. Whether the soil be light or heavy, this delightful plant luxuriates and blooms abundantly, aud so effective are its flowers that when better known it will be grown extensively. In rock walls, garden v ases, and drain pipes, its pretty trailing habit shows to advantage, and in a large rock garden, a drift of beautiful blue is obtained by planting in massed effect. Another effective way of using it is as an edging to a raised border, which has been finished with pieces of stone or rock, where it can tumble at will. An edging which blooms so freely over such a long period proves a desirable asset to the garden. Mauritanicus may bo raised from cuttings or seeds. If from cuttings, strike in spring, or a large percentage will fail. It usually comes through the winter safely when ou walls, or near the house, but may got a little touched when grown on the flat. Even so, tho shoots will commence fresh growth as soon as warm weather returns. Spring Bedding Schemes.

Those who have not yet planted their spring flower beds must lose no time, for after a rainy period, very little can be done until spring arrives; There is a large number of useful things to choose from for a spring display. Wallflowers should nat be overlooked, and a largo bed of these is always a joy edged with primroses or forget-me-nots. Then there are aubretias, double daisies, arabis, alyssum, violas, and a host of bulbous plants. Small beds are best filled with one kind of flower of a rather low-growing habit. Wallflowers look particularly well in lengthy or large round beds, and there is stilt time to plant anemones and ranunculi. The two latter arc the most gay of all our spring flowering subjects and should be included iu ail gardens where the display is a first consideration.

Unless the soil is exceptionally poor, no manure is necessary, but w r hore the beds are on the level, it is advisable to add more soil in order to raise them, which is desirable during the rainy period. Most spring flowering plants grow luxuriantly enough without the addition of anything stimulating, except, iu the case of anemones and ranunculi, which will produce finer blooms if some well rotted manure is mixed with the soil.