GARDEN CALENDER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 249, 16 October 1918, Page 2

GARDEN CALENDER.

Irises-.-—-These. should: certainly be well represented in the garden. The Japanese varieties should be placed" in- the wettest parts, the German or Flag sorts in the driest, and the Spanish and English .types in ail open position. Ireses generally .jive impatient of interference, and should therefore remain undisturbed for some years. Plant 3 inches deep. By proper selection Irises (the "orchid" qf the flower garden) jnay, v b;e. had in bloom for the greatest part'of theyear. The varieties are innumerable, and the for their richness aiiir variety. Ixias (African Coi'n Lily)--—Do well outside. Should be-planted in April 4 inches deep, in a light sandy soil, well drained. Bulbs sHouldi be fitted' as ao<m as they„haye. .flowered and laid in the sun to ripen. ? ('Sriowflake).—-One of the earliest pf; spring .flowers. , 'Plant 2. or 3 inches, .'deep in' ebadV. Bears a strong resemblance 'Snoxydrop, but is rather largjer ajid "less 'refined.-

... laHoffls.—'Every garden should possess specimens of. tlie noble,- glorious Lily. sWith care : lh selection- "they- on be had in flower fl-oni. November till the winter. . Lilium Atuatum is - deliriously scented, ; and perfumes the air for -yards round j it ; does -well in the open- in this district, 1 and We have seen a- in a border throw up a stem carrying 30 -large ; flow ; ers. Others that should' -be .planted are L. Speciosunl; (albuni, ros'eum,, a.tid rubrum), ;£«•' all of • which will do well" outside. Plant; 4 or 5 inches deep, and do not disturb for three or four years.wlien the; bulbs may fie taken up and divided, and replanted immediately; •Narcissus.—A-garffen without a -Daflodil of some- sort would be something of . a rarity.'.• Each year -sees>-.a growing ■ demand for tliese beautiful .spring •flowers, and the puzzle ! is' to make a' choice of the yarieti&a offered. 'flhey are so hardy and require so«little attention that. it is no woildei' tliat ihey are -r so popular. .Aiiv soil seenis to suit them ,though tlicy prefer a deep, rat-hei: moist loam,; deeply dug. March and April . the planting months, 'and the v bulbs should ue. covered -2 to 3 inches f Some take up-the bulbs eyery. year, :but, whey© the clumps.are not . ovcycrowdiecl, ; it is better to.leave them undisturbed) for two or three .years. The -three main classes ot.. .©aftpdijs. > nati (the long; trumpet varieties)_; Coronati or ,Chalice--cuped- (moderate- • sized trumpets).; .aiid~ the Paryi-Goro-nati-(which have -.small crowns, and include PoetictK,;.-:Bur.b,ridgei),. Jonquils, -- and the Polyanthus -varieties}. , v . ; .v. Paeonies,— The -Chinese, Paeonies are gorgeous in colour, " and the _ flowers, standing out from, rich. dark, foliage, -are objects in the should be .more largely cultivated th* l ;' l ? they are. Leave undisturbed' for vears ; '-and- when a ,division is., made it- j should be,.in the autumn oi - . very early spring. jVlany,. .beautijtiU; varieties are j now iijiported.frpin J,npan. ~ r v- I Ranunculus.—rA, gay ; effect ~is 'produced , by a bed pf ranuiiculus. They fr«c-flowe'ring, and igood foi.',. cutting, j Plant, from. April till June, . placing the tubers;, .claws down,; i>i' rows six or eight inches apart, jtwo. or - three inches j apart, and two ipche§ A o.f sario is good. Press down fii'mly. The Ranunculus likes a. 'deep.rich spil-^_ Snowdrop.—Thrive in,-.' semi-sh'adedj situations,' and .are best left undisturbed.' for .several years., Both jthe.-single aijd . double varieties are popular.. v . Plant in March or April, three or four inches dee-p. : • r ■ . Sparaxis.—Gi-ows about., a foot. or ,l©sf in height,_ with lily-shaped, flowers of gorgeous colours. Its compact dwarf growth and rich .colours it able for th» flower .border, or for poo culture." Plant about 4 inches deep- wd 2 inches apart. Lift apd replant AnUJf.; .!' v ' »M' V ' Tt mm (Mexican. Tiger pi]y).—Pre*e r a dry sunny border.!. and do ,|Well- in any rich garden ioil They, produce. .. large • bloms; heavily -blotched .-.blapk a,nd Tea on yellow- white, .and purple :^oun<?s. The flowers' last only. pnp. day, but are tsucceeded the next by fresh ones, . <ind a continuance .of., bopjn is for considerable fiSie.. -Rlaut- . in September pr October, 3 inches and 5-to 6 inches apart, .placing. a,-4ittle salnd under" -and . around; tubei . Bulbs should j>.e -lifted in thg;, autumn, , rkept. in 'cool,. Airy plftc.e s&jppxwg. r' . .could 4n brilliancy tlio appearance of a or '• group of tulips. The colours , and markings are -apparently. and . . thev are so easily grown,, they shoultl . be [in every garden. .? ro ™ J' 11 ,? I to Juno for .placing the bulbs 4 irichbs. deep ,ahdi 4 or-5 inches^apa-rt; fi , sprinkling of sand round the bulbs is j advantageous.. •