GARDEN NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14391, 9 June 1910, Page 8

GARDEN NOTES.

THE STEAWBEERY TREE. 'The arbutus, or " strawberry tree," is: one of our best evergreens; thoroughly hardy, growing in a variety of soils, ; they bloom in the J winter, and also ffproduce clusters of fruits which are 'highty ornamental. >A. unodo is a native of' Ireland, its flowers are -creamy white, and- its berries are crimson. -A. Ganariensisj ~ from? the Canary Islands, has whitish-green flowers and showy yellow fruits, a* littlei larger than those of unedo. A.'Andrachne is a much scarcer plant than the preceding two species; its flowers and fruits are similar to those of the others, but its. stems are devoid of bark, which give it a singular appearance. A.' coccinea is another rare species, having rose-coloured flowers. ■ RHODODENDRONS. Rhododendrons are closely allied to the azalea, and their period of flowering extends over a long -time; a few bloom in the winter, but the majority of them not until- spring. They are exceedingly showy plants, and, where they succeed, are unsurpassed for brilliant effect by any other class of shrub. The evergreen foliage of most of the kinds is very fine, but unfortunately it is apt, in hot .districts to get scorched with the sun, hence, as ; with - the camellia ... and azalea, partial shelter from the sun and hot winds' is desirable. The plants will ■ grow in a variety of soils, provided .it is free from stagnant water. If a compost has to be j made * for these plants, turfy loam, peat, leaf-mould, with plenty of sand, should be used. They are excellent subjects for pot or tub culture. PLANTING HINTS. ?* Palms of all sorts for centres of lawns are best planted in May where possible; June is generally a .trifle wet and cold, and apt to check growth considerably: Plant out hedges, shrubs, climbers, and .twining* plants throughout the s month aleo perennials and biennials of every description, , i Sow radish, cress, parsley, and various salads, including onions for greens. Do not sow seed .too thick, but give the roots a chance to develop. . Plant out early varieties of onions, and plant garlic, shallots, tree and potato onions. Rhubarb can be planted out at the end of the month, very large old crowns being taken up and subdivided. Protect early peas from sparrows and other birds by stretching black cotton over the rows. . PRUNING HINTS. Cut off tops of 'asparagus as soon as sufficiently dry and give the beds a dressing; of manure, forking this in lightly. - ! Cut back chrysanthemums and dahlias I when flowers t are finished. The lattercan be lifted and placed in a cool shed, i with sand shaken over them to allow j them to ripen. . , Trim hedges : and edgings. A sharp, light slasher and a pair of strong seccateurs are " the handiest for this purpose, the ordinary hedging shears making the work painfully hard. . , THE TIME TO CHANGE. : This is the time of the year when 'changes can be made in . the „-, garden plants and trees shifted to different portions, ,new ground broken up, and all rubbish cleared away. THE COMPOST HEAP. * Those gardeners who have not . yet been wise enough to start a compost-heap "f should ■start now; '- it' is an excellent ■■ way ,v of •■ get- * ting -ridvbf"rubbish.;,;;Select a place in some ' corner of-the grounds, •-and if possible make ah onclosure a with stones, or, boards. Into this enclosure throw "all your ; weeds, clippings, rakings, vegetable refuse: from the kitchen, old papers, house -• sweepings, ashes. Sprinkle lime on the heap frequently to prevent smell, and every week throw on the lioan a layer of earth. It is surprising how soon one can get a nice lot of rich . soil in this way, and it is such an acquisition and so often' neglected that no excuse is needed for repeating directions. PROVIDING HUMUS. -•;;.- Breaking up all waste ground and digging under soft weeds should be carried on whenever the ground Is not too wet. Few gardeners recognise the value of growing such things as crimson clover, oats, vetches, for, digging in as" green manure. Such an operation not only keeps the ; ground clear of weeds, but supplies humus, whioh is needed in nearly every garden soil. ;.;.-„■ . mi....' "iir "i'' '..'.I ! "i"'; 1,," ',»'.y'Af - . -.:; THE VALUE OF BACTERIA. One of the ? great advantages of a < supply of humus is that it provides the material in which bacteria can work for the benefit of the soil, 1 the plant, and the gardener. Constant cultivation of garden soil uses up humus very rapidly, and our light volcanic ground is particularly liable to get dry and dusty. -Green* manuring -not only provides a medium for the bacteria/ but it improves the '* mechanical condition of the soil, helping it to retain moisture in dry weather, making clay soils more riabie and assisting drainage. THE .FADING- CHRYSANTHEMUM. The chrysanthemum season will soon be over, but their blooming' may be prolonged by removing all the old decaying , flowers; this not only improves the appearance of the garden, but greatly benefits the plant. . BERRY GROWING. ■ North Islanders are apt to believe that such fruits as gooseberries, ; raspberries, red and white currants, cannot be, grown in this climate, ■'•; but ■ if they choose - a cool spot in the garden, cultivate the ground deeply, and manure it well, these delightful berries will grow well.; Naturally they have to be ; protected against fungoid ; diseases : and insect pests, and in dry weather; should be well watered. "..;.;",-: ," .> WINTER SHRUBS. • '; j y To those about to plant a shrubbery,' a list of a few really good flowering plants which bloom in the winter might prove acceptable. The camellia ranks first in importance. Apart from their magnificent flowers, the handsome shining evergreen foliage of these plants' renders them great favourites with most people. _ They may be grown in almost any ordinarily good garden soil, but a rich loam, well drained, suits them best. They may be grown with other plants in the shubbery : border, but care should be taken to prevent the roots of trees or largegrowing shrubs from interfering with them, but they do best in a bed by themselves, whore they may.be more easilv mulched and watered. GORDONIA ANOMALA. , Gordonia anomala is closely related to the camellia, and i* one of our • finest winter flowering evergreen shrubs. Its large single white blossoms, full of yellow ; stamens; are very, showy. When cut thev last a long time, and the buds will open in water.; -.The plant is of slow growth.' its; foliage- is ' good, and habit bushy. Of the same tribe are the ' Stuartias, of North America $; and 1 Japan. ;S. pseudo-camellia has snowy blossoms with orange stamens, and its '-leaves,' which much resemble those of : a camellia, assume in the autumn glowing * tints of scarlet, 'orange, and yellow. In Japan this " handsome * tree _ assumes a height of 50ft, with a trunk girth of ; 6ft. S., Virginica is from the Southern States of North America where it grows to a height of 10ft in shady places. Its flowers are very beautiful, they measure ;; fully !; 4-in; across; . the y Bhell-like;■ petals are white, amd generally streaked with crimson, the central stamens are red. •;.;. THE DAPHNE. ,;The daphne is one of our most popular, shrubs. D. indica rubra is sthe commonest and also the best species.; It -has good foliage, and its red and ; white flowers are particularly sw.eet. ,'D. Dauphine, D. (Mora, D. Blagayaha, and several'other; kinds are worth having. t - ■.■:.''■:■■'■:'"'.■. -'■-■':' ...■'-•?;.; ... ' .. ■'■'- ■■■■■'.■:•:'■■::*-. - .'■•:■■:■■■: ■;.:.;■ ■■' .