DEATH OF MR A. E. LOWE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 29 December 1924, Page 2

DEATH OF MR A. E. LOWE

# *®A' r NOTED iIORTJLCULTUIUST (Ey Telegraph.—Special to The Mail.) CHRLSTCHCKCH, Dec. 2(1. The (lentil occurred >•< Otahuna today of Mr A. K. la.we, hetld gardener to Sir Heaton Rhoden, 'Rhe Air Lowe was known throughout New Zealand an the foremost authority on the hybridisation of narcissi. Dail'odils, as the llowers are coinmonly called, were his hobby, and he was never tired of talking about them to those interested. A great many years ago lie began crossing different varieties, and encouraged by his success, pursued his experiments with great enthusiasm. As a result he has produced many new and notable flowers, equal and in sonic respects superior to those raised by Kngleheart and other hybridists working on similar lines in England. Some of the varieties have passed into commerce and were exhibited freely at the Canterbury Horticultural Society s spring show. Among the more notable are Heart of Cold. Silver Plane, Arikitoa, War Cloud. Marshal I'och, Mararoa. Cormelite. Au/.ae, lied Trumpeter. Mr Lowe was born in London 75 years ago. His love of flowers manifested itself at an early age, and in his boyhood the Kew Cardens and the country claimed all bis spare time. He caine to New Zealand as a young man, and was engaged as a gardener by Mr Arthur Perry, of Timaru. When Sir Heaton .Rhodes decided to lay out Otaluina lie was fortunate in securing the services of Air Lowe, who was niainlv responsible for the creation of what lias liecoine the most beautiful private garden in New Zealand. Mhe. gardens cover nearly 50 acres, and although they are notable for the daffodils, the shrubs and trees of every description are remarkable for their beauty arid interest. The death of Mr Lowe'will be deeply' regretted by,horticulturists throughout New Zealand. He leaves a widow and a grown-up family.