ATTRACTIVE GARDENS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 5 (Supplement)

ATTRACTIVE GARDENS.

USE OF DECIDUOUS SHRUBS.

Deciduous flowering shrubs are charming plants when wreathed in a profusion of flowers, and add greatly to the attractions of the garden throughout the spring months. No garden is complete without a liberal selection. The mixed border and shrubbery are ideal places, but for some reason or other our gardens are sadly deficient of deciduous shrubs. The charm of 'the British and Continental gardens during the spring and early summer months chiefly consists in the numerous species and varieties of flowering shrubs and trees and hardy deciduous climbers; notably wistarias, clematises, honeysuckles and other climbing plants. The following are a few of the leading species which, with their numerous varieties, thrive here and are suitable for present planting. ORNAMENTAL FLOWERING SHRUBS Hydrangeas, comprising many beautiful varieties, are now well known and are frequently represented in most of our gardens and grounds. Deutzias, in single and double-flowered forms, aro most floriferous. D. gracilis and its sub-varieties are very charming with their masses of pretty flowers. Diervillas or weigelias are exceedingly attractive and among the first to flower. The old variety, rosea, is still the most popular. Hibiscus syriacus, with its single and double varicoloured flowers, is most distinct and attractive. Cercis siliquastrum (the gudas tree) is wreathed in bright purple peashaped flowers. The different, varieties ox ribes, notably the flowering currant, have handsome pendant bunches of rosecoloured blossoms and delightfullyscented foliage. Svringas or lilacs comprise many single and double-flowered yarieties in various colours.

VIBURNUMS. Viburnums are elegant, hardy shrubs. .There are several handsome varieties, including opulus, the well-known guelderrose or snowball; also plicatum, the Japanese snowball. The shrubby spiraeas flower for a considerable time and are of distinctive appearance. The pomegranate produces very showy single and double blossoms. The many varieties of philadelphus or - mock oranges bear their sweetly-fragrant and very pretty blossoms in the greatest, profusion. Prunus sinensis flore pleno, the pure white and rose-flowering dwarf plums, are wreathed in showy double flowers. Exoehorda grandiflora. is a roost beautiful shrub bearing racemes of large white blossoms in early spring. Calycanthus prsecox produce" delightfully fragrant flowers. All of the above species, on account of their profuse flowering, contrast with the ether trees and shrubs and render the grounds exceedingly attractive during the spring and early summer months. All are suitable for present planting. FLOWERING WILLOW. Salex caprea, the common sallow or goat willow, is one of the earliest flowering of British willows. The silky catkins precede the leaves. The male flowers are about one inch long. The females are much longer. This willow is now in full flower, and has attracted considerable attention and speculation as to its name, being liberally displayed in our florists' collections. There is a " weeping" form called the Kilmarnock "weeping willow, which is a very beautiful tree. TWO NEW PRIMULAS. ADVANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT. The introduction of the original species cf primula malacoides, with its extremely light and dainty panicles of lilac or pale mauve flowers which are produced on upright stems in the greatest profusion for a considerable period, has brought this dainty little plant into general favour for outdoor garden and pot displays. It is now in full flower, and is succeeding well in wet soils—a great advantage under recent weather conditions. Since the orfcina! introduction, the two new varieties, Advance and Achievement, have been introduced, the flowers of which are much larger than tho original type and ai'e nicely rounded and thrown up in graceful profusion. Advance produces several whorles of large, rich, rose-coloured flowers with creamy centres. Achievement is of a pale rosepink tint. Both varieties are of dwarf habit and are valuable additions for pot culture and for bedding-out in the open. They are most effective bordering plants. FIBROUS-BOOTED BEGONIAS AN ATTRACTIVE VARIETY. For brilliant summer beds and ribbon borders and edgings, begonia semperflorens are indispensable. They are easily raised, and cultivated. They flower throughout the whole summer and autumn. As a background to alternantheras they are most effective. Propagation is usually affected from seeds and divisions. Unfortunately severe frosts this season destroyed most of the outdoor plants, necessitating fresh supplies from other 6ources for the coming season. Ihere aie several varieties ranging from dwarf to taller growers. The shades vary from glowing scarlet crimson and exquisite rose-pink to pure white. The variety, crimson bedder, has ruSset crimson foliage and is a most popular and attractive bedding plant. Begonia semperliorens withstand the hottest weather. They are also effective in pots and window-boxes*