AUTUMN FOLIAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18711, 17 May 1924, Page 22 (Supplement)

AUTUMN FOLIAGE.

GORGEOUS DISPLAYS.

The summer flowering : season is now over, and autumn tints are everywhere conspicuous. Among the many vaneties of deciduous tree 3, shrubs and other subjects, the gorgeous leaf tints ;of < some species present a greater diversity and brilliance of. colour than if the plants wore a profusion of blossoms. • The Virginian creeper • (ampelopsis _ Virginiana hederacea) and its sub-varieties,' veitchii and muralis are among the: most conspicuous of: all plants in this •. respect. When allowed to: ramble over rocky banks and stone walls and brickwork covering the sides of the house, : reaching to the highest points it must attract the attention of the most casual of' observers, with its brilliant■ - leafage. r' / Among shrubs Lagerstromia indica is the first to turn colour, the leaves assuming the brightest crimson. . Several varieties cf oaks are remarkable for the ever-vary-ing tints of their autumn foliage, notably those of quereus coccinea, the scarlet oak, this being on© of the best for the colour of its leaves, which' assume a deep rich scarlet. Quereus rubra, the red oak, is also very richly coloured. BRILLIANT LEAFAGE. The golden ash (fraxinus excelsior aurea) is remarkable, not only for the golden colour its leaves assume at this season, but also for .the rich golden ■ colour of its stems and branches after the leaves have " ] fallen, ' rendering it at , all times a distinct and pleasing subject. Liriodendron tulipiferum (the tulip tree) is a fitting companion to the foregoing, although the leaves do not ' assume such colour, nor last as long on the trees yet on account of :j their large - size, distinct appearance, ; and the symmetrical "shape' of" the tree rearing' its tall head above the .surrounding objects, it is most conspicuous. SalisburJa . adiantifolia— the maiden hair tree of China—is an exceedingly distinct and beautiful tree in all its ' stages ■' of : growth. > The leaves, which are dark green - in summer, turn to a rich golden ; yellow at this season, when it stands out a most conspicuous object in -the shrubbery. ' : ; \ GUMS AND CYPRUS. Liquid amber styraciflua (the sweet gum as it is commonly called) is a* native of North America, "and most interesting at" all seasons. In early spring the bursting foliage emits a peculiarly sweet perfume. During the autumn they gradually turn colour, finally assuming a deep purplish crimson. This may be singled out as one of the best for the beauty of its autumn foliage, ; and should have a place in every plantation. Taxodium . distichum the deciduous cyprug, another large-growing American ■ tree ' with & -spreading head and "feathery foliage, is a handsome , subject, not only , for its [ distinct''summer foliage, but also for its | late autumn appearance when the leaves I turn a*: rusty red when maturing. f" POPLARS AND BEECHES.' '• Among - other trees that beautiify the landscape during the late autumn and early winter the different varieties of poplars are? conspicuous with their 1 bright yellow leaves. . The purple beech, several kinds . of 5 elms, lindens and tamarix, and among . fruit-bearing \ subject " the ' Japanese . persimmon or ; date i plum cannot be surpassed 'in summer. The late 3 foliage 2is a : bright ; glossy green,' gradually changing ;in the . autumn previous to dropping to various shades . and' combinations of ~ rich red, yellow trn'd.crimson ■ colourings, and are at the 'same tune laden with - bright , yellow and orange-coloured fruits, whiqh » vary ,in '."size; and appearance, making the treesmost conspicuous objects" wherever planted, , ;. • ; PLANTING OPERATIONS. 0-'.r " . SEASONABLE WORK. ...».« V. ,-v •V-.-'v-V MK\- ■ : . • - -• •' • ,i ' . - • * '/*>/•» V/-V.v' . The season; has again arrived ; to • undertake the planting of permanent trees and shrubs, both v evergreen and;: deciduous. Directions have already been 'given with; regard to ; the ' digging 'of - the holes arid: the \ preparation of the soil according to its character* In stiff,; heavy, . retentive, soils much - more preparation is necessary than where the soil is of a friable nature, and in cases where there -is a * hard 'pan : or gravelly subsoil that; requires -to*- be broken up, vit may. be - necessary to employ explosives. .' However, 'whatever; the character of the soil, by proper treatment it t may be - made - suitable for' -a ; great' variety of trees : and plants. . Soils that - are rich in lime are unsuitable for azaleas, j

■; .'/-.v 'i ; Vv;';: r rhododendrons, and a limited number of ■ other plants, -but are •: especially adapted j for the majority - of ; trees ? and j shrubs and j smaller subjects. ' / < v-./; "i'/Vr * f TBEATMENT SOF TENDER PLANTS. .w /.;> ,N .,-v'V--'* -' . K'vln/ localities that are subject to heavy winter and early spring frosts, and where the temperature >• is too cold tender : plants should fbe taken ; up >f and placed under the protection >of a glass frame or in a bush house. In some such localiteis heliotropes the different kinds of pelargoniums, fuchsias, lantanas, etc. should'., be r taken, up to save them. Alternantheras that/are employed for 'carpet bedding are very.; tender subjects, consequently, sufficient fj'- must ~ be taken up and transplanted on shallow • trays and placed in the green house or -■ glass frame to preserve them; during the cold wet winter season, and furnish plants. for dividing or taking cuttings from and striking 'f for nest { seasons requirements. Iresines are also tender subjects, cuttings • taken off now and inserted :in . shallow i trays or pans strike | readily and supply; stock for future -requirements. Cuttings of shrubbery calceolarias should be taken > off- and put in now to strike.' ;. ; -