THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8472, 24 January 1891, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

FLOWER GARDEN'.

Climbing plants are indispensable for the decoration of almost every garden. No matter how small tlie garden may be some suitable place can always bo found for a few twiners. Suitable varieties may be had that will attach themselves!, without tying up or training, to either brick or stone walls ; for instance, the Ficus stipulata, or climbing fig. Ivies and ampelopsis are all excellent for this purpose. These and others are also admirably adapted for climbing up stumps of old trees ; others, of more rapid growth, may be employed for covering fences and affording screens to shut out unsightly objects, and for climbing up the trunks of trees and shrubs and intermingling with the foliage. Smallergrowing sons adapted for trailing over stone-work and rocks. Whilst some are remarkable for their foliage alone, others make a gorgeous display with their blooms. Honeysuckle gives out a sweet odour, and on this account is a great favourite. The habits and characters of climber plants are suggestive of the many ornamental purposes for which they may be employed ; such as training to trellises on walls anil against fences or around verandah pillars, or for training over the surface of the ground. Pretty effects may be made by the proper disposition of varieties. Amongst the many climbers now in bloom the clem,>lis i- worthy of special notice. The large-flowered sorts make a pretty display with their handsome flowers. The small white flowered variety, Clematis flamula, is now so full of bloom that scarcely any of its foliage is visible. This sort should be represented in every garden where climbers are grown, as the (lowers are delightfully fragrant, and give forth an odour that perfumes the garden for some distance around where it grows. What are termed the better varieties of clematis are somewhat difficult to keep, as the slugs are so partial to them during the spring when they come into growth, eating the young shoots oil" almost as soon as they appear. Bignonias are another class of climbers that afford pleasure from their glossy dark-green foliage and gorgeous flowers. Some of the sorts may be employed as shrubs for border decoration. B. granditlora, when cut back and kept within bounds, makes an excellent shrub. Here many climbers may be grown outside that in Britain are only grown in hothouses and greenhouses ; for instance, Bougainviliea thrives and flowers with the greatest pro fusion out of doors. Several of the more tender varieties of bignonias will flourish without any protection whatever. Again, climbers are to be recommended on account of their adaptability to flourish during dry weather.

THE GREENHOUSE.

Plants in this department will now require a plentiful supply of water. The amount of ventilation required during the summer months, together with the bright sunny days, quickly dry up the soil, and, unless carefully watched, the plants wilt and soon become sickly in appearance. This may, in a great measure, be prevented by placing the plants during the summer, when growth is most active, upon some kind of material that will hold moisture. By doing this, much labour in watering would be saved ; and the moisture that is constantly rising from a damp surface beneath the pots helps to keep the plants in a healthy condition; and free from insects. Thrip is the worst enemy the plant-grower has to contend with during the hot, dry weather ; and, if the atmosphere of the house is at all dry, plants—such as Dracaenas, palms, Acalypha, Alocasias, and other line foliage plants, as well as many varieties of ferns—soon fall a prey to this pest. But thrip cannot survive in a moist atmosphere ; and by the free use of the syringe, with a moist stand for the pots, this insect would rarely be seen. The benefit that follows the adoption of this system is not confined to any particular section of plants ; and flowering plants, fine foliage palms, ferns, and other plants usually grown in the greenhouse will thrive better with less labour during the hot, dry months. Manure water must be frequently applied to all fast-growing plants. Tuberous begonias are now making a grand display of bloom. These are without doubt the best of all summer flowering plants for greenhouse decoration, and are sure to become general favourites with all lovers of greenhouse plants. They are easily cultivated, and will thrive and

flower abundantly either inside or out of doors. Some varieties produce flowers of immense size and various shades of colours. Begonias, when growing rapidly, require an abundance of water. In potting see that the pots are well drained. This is most important not only with begonias, bub with all other plants. Gloxinias still continue to flower freely. This is another gorgeous summer flowering plant, and well worth the trouble taken in its cultivation. As soon as these have done flowering water should be gradually withheld with the view of ripening the bulk. Liliums are now coming into blossom. Mulch the surface of the pot with good manure, and give manure water frequently. Kepos.