GARDENING NOTES

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1931, Page 7

GARDENING NOTES

[By “TAINUI.”]

Shrubs In Flower. This is the season of the year when gardeners turn to the more permanent

planting, that of trees, shrubs, hedge plants, climbing plants, herbaceous and rockery plants. These should be chosen and ordered. This is the time of year, too, for making new gardens, and for rearranging the old ones. When a tree or shrub has outgrown its space or has become scraggy with age, take it out and plant a new one. It is always well to have a few plants coming along; this ail adds to the interest in gardening. Many of. the shrubs flower the first .or second year after planting. Many shrubs, too, are attractive in leaf as well as in flower. Different shrubs and perennial plants will be mentioned in these notes during the next few months, I will begin with those in flower now.

Lucullia gratissima is the most com spieuous flowering shrub wo have • iu bloom just now. The beautiful pink sweetly-scented flower is veiy like a large bouvardia, to which family it belongs. It is very easily grown and should be in every garden. Plant in a good rich soil in a position sheltered from strong winds and froet; cut back in spring. New plants may be got from layering. Short slips of new growth will root under glass. Lasiandra is also well known. It grows into almost a tree, and bears large flowers that look like \iolet anemones. It is fairly easily raised from slips. Shelter from strong winds. Frost is very hard on the plants while they are young. A little pruning is necessary to keep the bushes in good ahape. Lasiandra macrantha is the common small flowered variety an*.l L M. grandiflora is the large flowered L. E. Edwardsii is between the two, having more the habit of tlio former and of the latter.

Protca mellifera has large coneshaped flowers, and long, rather narrow leaves. There is a cream variety, and a cream tipped Avith pink. It is a hardy shrub and requires no special treatment. There arc other varieties cf protea that might be tried here. I*, susanno is very showy, having more open flowers of a rich pink colour. Pruning Fruit Trees. From noAV until the end of next month is a good time for the pruning of fruit trees, the peach and allied trees being pruned first as they arc the first to come into activity. Some amateurs never trouble to prune their trees, allowing them to go untouched for years. The result is that the tieo forms a A'eritable thicket, the fruit becomes reduced in size, dead wood develops, insect and fungoid diseases become eA'ident, the tree gets mosscovered and becomes little better

than a source of infection. Pruning, not over-pruning, is a necessity. Take the young tree. It should form a foundation for the future growth, and its shape should be to the advantage of the fruit that it is to carry. Generally, early pruning is undosir-

able. In the case of apples, pears and

plums, the life of the tree may be exv pected to extend over a long period '.of years. It is hardly sound economy in such eases to throw the tree into fruit before a foundation has been laid. Piune first for wood, and later for fruit. Trees are generally sent from the nursery with heads already formed, and consisting ol Irom three to five branches. These will need cutting back, leaving about a third of their length. The following sum-

mer two branches should be obtained from each branch cut bacx, and if care has been taken to leave the end buds pointing in the right direction, the plant will have its branches equally distributed. The idea in shaping the tree is to have it symmetrical and in shape like a wide mouthed tumbler, rather loose in the centre so as to encourage the sunlight as much as possible. At the next pruning, it ■will not be necessary to cut back quite so hard, not more than about half way. Such is an outline of the treatment •of fruit trees in their early years. Subsequent treatment must vary with the variety, with the soil, and with the climate, as well as with the position iu which the tree is growing. Plum and other stone fruit will require little pruning, but in any ease crossing branches, as well as all dead wood should be removed. Planting,- Hints. Rhododendrons, azaleas, ami other shrubs that have a mass of fibrous roots are easily transplanted. A good ball of earth should be taken with the plant, and if the latter is to 'be moved a distance, tie up in sacking. When planting trees and shrubs, plant at about the same depth, or perhaps a little deeper than in the nursery. Many plants die through being planted too deep, particularly if they are naturally surface or .shallow rooting. Others again die through having their roots exposed to hot sun or to frost.

Never leave the roots of any plants exposed to sun and wind while Availing to be planted. A wot sack might be placed over the roots until the plants have to be put in. Always cleanly cut off ail bruised or decayed roots before planting. Long straggling roots are often better shortened back. Great care should be taken to have all the roots Avell spread out and slanting in a downward direction. After the plant is in position, take hold of the stem and give a slight pull upwards; at the same time see that the flue soil is shaken in about the roots.

In heavy soil, care should be taken to have tine soil to sift about the roots; otherwise caveties are left that cause root .decay.

The ground should always be made firm by treading after planting. In wet Avoatlier the ground Avill cake; plant therefore while the soil is in a suitable condition —not too Avct and not too dr a'.

When planting a tree or shrub on the lawn, if the ground is not naturally well drained, the water near ’will drain into the hole made for the ;plant. It is well to dig some distance about the plant, replacing the turf afterwards. The hole should be deep and tilled up with stones. As a tree or shrub will generally remain in the same place for years, it is worth while going to a little trouble when planting. Thoroughly prepare the ground, and thoroughly mix in well rotted manure, or a few handfuls of bouedust with the soil. Never allow manure of any kind to toneli the roots of the plant. It is well worth while finding out the special requirements of a tree or shrub before planting. Most plants cf the pea family like lime in the soil. A number of plants do not like lime or artificial manures. Heaths, rhododendrons, azaleas, kalmiao, clethra, are a few such. And these mentioned like a partially shaded position.