NASTURTIUMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 5 (Supplement)

NASTURTIUMS.

THE DWARF VARIETIES. Few flowers can rival the dwarf Tom {Thumb varieties for their many brilliant colours when grown in masses and as borders by tho sides cf paths and drives; also in pockots in tho rock garden tho effect is most striking. The flowers are most popular for cutting for various indoor decorations. Their cultnro is of the simplest. All that is necessary is to obtain tho best strains and sow them where they are to remain and flower. Iri view of tho good qualities of this beautiful annual, it is surprising it is not more generally grown. It may bo tho cultivation is too easy. The plants aro perfectly compact. Tho range of colours is very wide, from creamy whito to dazzling scarlet, and various shades of foliage from pea-green. One variety has rich, dark-coloured leaves with a silver, .variegated foliage. It is not too late to make a sowing now, as they are splendid dry-weather plants.

MESEMBRYANTHEMUMS. These are commonly called ice plants, and arc, with gazanias, the gayest floral ornaments of the rock garden at the present time. They are easily propagated from cuttings. Somo of the varieties should be renewed annually, whereas others, notably the dwarf trailing mesembrvanth?mum, which is now in tho greatest profusion of roSe-coloured flowers, is of a more permanent character. The secret of success in culture is in exposing the plants to the full sun. 'The hotter and brighter tho weather the better they succeed. They are specially adapted for public gardens and street rockeries. Cuttings should be taken off .when the plants aro out of flower, and Euitablo shoots strike freely if inserted closely together in sand in shallow plant trays. Afterwards they are boxed off in readiness for planting into their permanent positions at the proper time..

CARNATIONS. These are everybody's favourites and should be generally grown in every gart don. Unfortunately the extremely wet winter and early spring was unfavourable to their well-being, as they succeed best under drier conditions. This is especially applicable to the border .varieties that are remarkable for their beautiful flowers. The perpetual flowering or tree carnations are much hardier arid more vigorous growers. They produce their flowers on very long stems and are greatly prized for cutting. They commence flowering early and continue at; iutervals throughout the season. They are well adapted for pot culturo'in the greenhouse, exposed to full sunshine, .with a free circulation of air. They are best propagated from cuttings. The flower stems of all varieties of carnations should bo kept tied to neat supports to keep thein from coming in contact with the soil. An occasional top-dressing with a little lime, with an admixture oF soot is a stimulant and prevents the attacks of slugs and wireworms. Superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia applied* as a top-dressing in spring is a good stimulant-. Be careful not to let any fall on the foliage.

PIHKS. This is an old English garden flower that should be more generally grown. .They arc of dwarf, compact habit, and most floriferous and easily grown. The variety Mrs. S.impkins, a hybrid, produces very large double-whito flowers laid is beautifully clove scented. I his .variety is now in full flower and makes cine of the prettiest of bordering or irdging plants. Other varieties produce fingle and very large double flowers in f;reat profusion, each plant being a mass 'if colour, 'ihe flowers are mostly rose and crimson grounds, edged with a paler t-hade. The old Scott pink used to be a familiar flower in old gardens.

CELOSIAS. In planting up the borders celosias or feathered cockscombs inust not bo neglected, as they are the showiest and most satisfactory of all summer and autumn-flowering annuals. They comprise many pleasing shades of colour from pale yellow to the richest of crirnmil orange scarlet. The improved produce immense heads of feathery flowers that last a long tune ■U'lien cut. Arranged here and there at intervals in the mixed border, in gioups, 'limy lend colour to the other subjects and are exceedingly graceful and attractive. Celosia cristata, the old-fashioned lockscomb. produces enormous, compact leads or combs of flower. the dwarf crimson is the best and most popular. The different varieties of celosias may fi\ planted from now until the holiday reason. They are good dry eatiier subjects.

CAMPANULAS. These are splendid subjects for the garden borders, for rockeries, and for pot culture. The varieties of carpathica are now in full flower, having beautmu heilshaped blue and whito flowers. are good rockery plants. Pyramiaahs, flic chimney campanula, produces tall fpikes of blue and white 'blossoms. Jho Fiitglo and double-flowered Canterbury bells, including the cup and saucer varieties, are charming plants when in foil flower. Some of tho trailing campanulas aro suitable for hanging-baskets.