'A' FAVOURITE FLOWER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19892, 10 March 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

'A' FAVOURITE FLOWER.

CHARM OF CYCLAMENS. Cyclamens have of late years become Buch general favourites as to be represented in almost every garden. 100 mucn pan scarcely be said in favour of these charming dwarf-growing and profusely flowering plants. They show to best advantage in round beds cut out in .he grass and are also well adapted for planting near the edges of the flower beds and borders and on rockeries, or for introducing along the edges of shady walks. They succeed best in a moderately cool, flneltered situation, and in a fairly ric "» loamy soil in which some coarse sand land cow-dung is incorporated. Propagation ;s affected from seed sown in pots or pans. The seedlings when large jenongh to handle should be pricked off into plant tr lys and grown on until they are large enough for bedding out, or potting intc single pots. The present month is a suitable time to begin to plant in the beds and other places prepared for them,. PLANTING AND EFFECT. the plants at regular distances Of from lOin. to I2in. apart, taking care to keep the top of the tuber, or leaf stalk, slightly above the surface of the soil as the roots proceed from the base of the plant. Cyclamens, in addition to 'their quaint, richly-coloured flowers which are produced in great profusion throughout the spring are greatly enhanced in attractiveness by their prettily-marked foliage. Striking displays may be made by a Varied selection of the large, giant flowered varieties, some of which are sweetly scented. The colours range from the purest of whites to the richest of crimsons. Some are elegantly fringed, the butterfly forma being very distinctive. Cyclamens are not injured by slugs which is another strong recommendation. For cut flowers, when others are scarce, they Bro greatly prized.