In the GARDEN

Northern Advocate, 26 June 1937, Page 14

In the GARDEN

Twelve Dwarf Shrubs. ( >■.. ■' v l' am- drawing attention to a dozen dwarf shrubs suitable for the mixed Shrubbery,. border,., or rock garden. ; !Those‘ I have chosen are 'all good, and, if given a fair, chance, should prove satisfactory. Lantana SelloWidna.—l give this r>, ... • .■

[BY “TAINUI”]

lantana- a prominent position in the list. A South American plant, it is sometimes called the “Trailing Lantana'’—a not very appropriate name, as other species also have this habit. L. Sellowiana is a twiggy slender plant o£ low growth and trailing branches. But it does, not get out-of; hand,, and seldom wants cutting. The

flowers are numerous in rosy-lilac heads. A very nice little friendly plant, it smiles, throughout the winter months, and although it stands a lot of cold weather, hard frosts affect it, but not permanently. It is evergreen. Propagate by cuttings, preferably over a hot bed, or by layering.

Punica Granatum, variety nana.—• This is the little-grown dwarf Pomegranate, a gem among dwarf plants. The small green fStiage and the neat, Well-groomed habit of the plant would alone justify its use. The double blooms are large for the size of the plant and of a rich orange colour. This aristocratic little plant is deciduous. It is hardy, and once started will live on with little attention. Propagation is generally by cuttings of dormant "wood, better started with a little heat or by root division. Flowers during the summer months.

Cuphea Ignea (or Platycentra) and Cuphea Micropetala.—These two may be taken together, as both are in bloom at this season, something substantial in their favour. C. is mjuch the smaller plant. It forms a rather? low roundish bush with its match-like flowers, directed in all directions. The, flowers are striking from their shape and colouring, narrow funnels scarlet at the base and yellow at the tbp. Does well without coddling. Cuphea Micropetala is a good size larger than C. Ignea, but its habit is rather similar. The leaves are quite small, but the flowers are much bolder, and still scarlet at the base, yellowing at the top, and greenish at the mouth. As winter flowering plants, these Cupheas should be better known. We could do with more of Micropetala than we have. Propagation is generally from seed. ' Both plants are native of Mexico.

Adenandra Uniflora.—This splendid little plant has the appearance of a glorified tea-tree from the foliage and the flowers, the latter being delicately pencilled. The bush is very wellbehaved, always trim and neat. Bears flowers most of the year. The plant is not always easy to establish, but once it takes hold it requires little or no attention. It does wonderfully well in poor soil. Propagation is generally by young shoots taken in spring. South African native.

A Beaufortia i Sparsa.—l have already referred to this at present little known bottle-brush. As I have seen it (in Taranaki) it is a well-balanced shrub and very floriferous, bearing bright red “brushes” in summer. Whether the plant will outgrew its

habit here is ,a question, but if it ; does develop into rather more than a dwarf shrub, it can lose nothing by the brilliance of its flower clusters. Propagation is generally by maturing shoots. Appreciates rather peaty soil. An Australian plant.

Nierembergia Aurea. —This is a vqry attractive little shrub. It may seem rather an exaggeration to call it a shrub, so thin and graceful are its stalks and so fine its foliage. The graceful stalks contribute in no small manner to its beauty, for, borne on these stalks are relatively large deep blue flowers, a colouring quite different from that of the flowers of the better known N. gracilis. It is a good doer and not faddy. Propagation is mostly by autumn cuttings dr by seed.

Russelia Juncea. —The specific name means rushlike, from the rather unusual type of foliage. But it is to this rush-like foliage, with the narrow, bylindrical, red flowers that gives the plant a distinctive appearance. The plant is easily grown, propagation is by cuttings. Native of Mexico, to which country we owe many worthwhile plants.

Boronia Metastigma.—A small lightlooking' plant, with almost, threadlike foliage arranged in whorls about the stem joints. The flowers are maroon-purple on the outside, . and yellow within, but in many forms the flowers are chiefly brown. The plants emit, a delicious fragrance, the Boronia’s show-card. Natives of barren sandy places, good drainage is necessary. Propagation is from cuttings of half-ripened wood, or from seeds. If given a chance, the seed germinates readily.

Grevillea Dallachiana—This dwarf

Grevillea finds our district to its liking. It has a nice well-kept habit and flowers over a long period, looking very j cheerful with its numerous peculiarly shaped yellow and red

flowers. This Grevillea does not ask for any particular soil or for any attention other than bo be left alone. Propagation is generally from seed. Daphne Genkiva. —This beautiful little shrub, unlike the D. Odorata, has no scent, but it is worthwhile. The fine lilac-blue flowers are borne before the leaves. The plant is a native of Japan, and its appearance, indeed, suggests Japan. Propagation is by layers or seed.

Felicia Augustifclia. —This is a daisy plant, smothering itself in heliotrope flowers in late spring and early summer. A first-class plant for colour in the garden.