GARDEN NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 266, 10 November 1945, Page 2

GARDEN NOTES

By “NGAIO” Azaleas and rhododendrons are the climax of spring flowering shrubs and it is a matter for regret when their season is over and another year must go by before we see their glory again. Big effects of massed colour can be achieved with these shrubs in large gardens, but even in small ones lovely pictures can be built up with small groups combining with other plants which flower at the same time. Often when half a dozen or so azaleas have been purchased, the mistake is made of “spotting” them about the garden instead of making one good display by planting them together. Wisteria makes a lovely background for azaleas, also the blue ceanothus and there are smaller flowers which can be used in the foreground such as violas—especially the mauve and blue ones—and tritonias. The real azalea or rhododendron “fiend” will consider that no other plants are necessary to offset his favourites, but in small gardens where every inch of space is asked to produce some colour, it will be found that successful combinations can be made.

The variety of colour in azaleas is amazing, ranging from white and palest yellow to % deep orange, flaming scarlet and among more recent introductions there is a wonderful deep red. As well as being so valued for colour, many varieties are sweetly scented, and in the autumn there is wonderfully tinted foliage to be found in the azalea bed. Few plants can offer more attraction or give better return for the space they occupy; as they are very slow growing indeed it will be a long time before they become over-large, and blooms should be picked very sparingly, if at all, while the plants are young. Many of the smaller rhododendrons such ns fragrantissima are suitable for small gardens and even the larger ones such as the familiar pink pearl can find a place in the background as it will be years before they become very big. Large gardens have a great opportunity for bold effects with mass planting of both azaleas and rhododendrons, and where space is available in public parks and gardens, a specially beautiful feature can be made of these shrubs. So popular have they become that a rhododendron society has been formed in New Zealand to encourage cultivation and the introduction of new varieties. Next week this society will hold a meeting at the garden of Mr. Edgar Stead, of Christchurch, where members will have the opportunity of seeing both azaleas and rhododendrons blooming to perfection under the hands of a famous expert. There will be seen banks of azaleas in full bloom growing near the stream, others massed on the lawn, and still more growing in frojit of a perfect background of bronzeleafed maples. As for the rhododendrons —here again every colour is to be found from white and pale cream to the most vivid scarlets and reds, each plant being a picture in itself. Visitors will no doubt come away from “Ilam” with wonder* ful memories, fresh inspirations and a determination that azaleas and rhododendrons shall be given their rightful place in our gardens.