In the GARDEN

Northern Advocate, 11 July 1936, Page 2 (Supplement)

In the GARDEN

A Weeping Cherry. Prunus Subhirtella Pendula Rosea is a plant that I have not so far had the good fortune to see, but I believe it is very beautiful. I notice it mentioned in several catalogues this season, so that we may see it here in the near future. It is spoken of as the finest weeping flowering tree grown. L, H. Bailey, the well-known horticultural publisher says: “This is the spring cherry of Japan, and said to be the most floriferous and perhaps the most delightful of all Japanese cherries. It is often called the Rose-bud Cherry of Japan. The long weeping branches are almost thread-like, and are covered in early spring with small rose-pink flowers. It is to be hoped that this cherry will do well in Whangarei. Pink Diosma. I may have written about this shrub before, as it is a new introduction. I have just seen D. Multiflora’s flowers for the first time, and I am very pleased with the plant. The white variety D. Ericoides has been grown in our gardens as long as I can remember. Of late years it has not been so popular, probably because white flowers went out of favour for some years. Most gardeners agree that the neat bright green diosma bush is attractive; and the scented foliage is liked by many. As the new variety seems to be just the same in habit, but with pink instead of white flowers, it should become popular. The diosma makes a very neat evergreen specimen on the lawn, or at a point or angle near a path. This diosma is just coming into flower. I have mentioned previously the new rock garden variety D. Complexa which is quite dwarf and has mauve pinK flowers. Its appearance is quite different from that of the other two; but it is also an attractive shrub that I have seen doing well in one Whangarei garden.

Diosmas like to be planted and then left alone. They should not be too hard pruned, over-manured, or given artificial manure or lime; and they should not be disturbed at the roots. Plant now.

New Pink Tea-Tree. Leptospermum Keatleyii is the name of a new pink-flowered teatree, of which there are several varieties in cultivation locally. It makes a nice full bush up to 4 feet or more in height, and is very floriferous. The flowers are pink, deeper at the centres than towards the margins. A very useful plant, particularly as it is a winter bloomer. It is in full flower at present. Crataegns Pyracantha Augustifolia. Although this plant has a very! clumsy name, it is an excellent berried shrub. It reaches from 3 feet to 4 feet in height, and spreads in a very artistic manner, helping itself by means of its pointed branches to whatever room it requires. The bright orange-yellow berries are borne in great profusion, over a long period, and during the winter season when colour is at a premium. Ceratopetalum Gummiferum, Called the “Australian Christmas Bush," this plant does very w-ell here provided it is given a warm sheltered position. It is a small tree reaching from six feet to ten feet in height. It has light dainty foliage, and the flow-er-bracts are very brightly coloured. In Australia it comes into show about Christmas time, but here it is later—-

_ [BY "TAINUI”]

towards the end of January. A good plant if you have a favourable position for it.

Nemesias.

I notice that many nexnesia plants were not affected by the late frosts. Wet weather and wind seem to trouble these plants more than frost, but frost coming when the plants and ground are wet appears to seriously affect them. They like a warm, sheltered position and they like to be planted fairly closely together, as though to help keep one another warm. The small-flowered Nemesia compacta is more hardy than the grandiflora variety, which is the branching type. Ajuga Metalliea. Ajuga Metalliea Multicolorus is classed as a rock garden plant. It is low-growing, and has autumn-shaded, marbled foliage. The flowers are small and violet blue, but the plant is grown more for the foliage than for the flowers. Old plants maybe divided now. Ajuga will be found useful for edging a bed, or for carpet bedding, as well as for the rock garden. , In Brief. Aconitums like a rich soil and partial shade. Ageratum likes a rich soil, plenty of water, and sunshine. The Flowering Almond is one t of the prettiest of the old-fashioned garden shrubs. Hunnemannia is a useful cut flower belonging to the poppy family. Its golden-yellow flowers do not readily droop. It is an annual, a good feeder, but easy to grow. Lilacs like a deep, rich soil, and benefit by a top-dressing of lime or bone-dust every second year. The plant is improved by a vigorous pruning as soon as the flowers have faded. The many long white flower-straps of Magnolia stellata make a very chaste and beautiful picture. The fur-1 covered buds break open during the winter months at every mild spell, emitting an elusive and indefinable odour. The plant is hardy, but not easy to rear to full usefulness. The giant Mallows enjoy full sunshine and deep moisture.

The large-flowered Guinea Gold is the finest of the African Marigolds. A showy, late-summer bloomer is Monarda Didyma. It is strongly aromatic. The intense red of the curiously constructed flower-heads makes it conspicuously showy.

Pyrethrums bloom earlier than other members of the big daisy family. They can be divided to any extent in the spring.

Schizanthus is a good plant to follow early nemesias that have been given a sunny, sheltered position. It is not an easy plant for the open border, but given the right position, it makes a very pretty show.