CULTURE OF CAMELLIAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19986, 30 June 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

CULTURE OF CAMELLIAS.

POPULARITY REVIVED. Camellias are a beautiful class of winter flowering shrub, which succeeds well in our gardens and ornamental grounds. Tlio ground for camellias should be of good quality and must be well drained, or sufficiently porous to allow the, water to drain away from the roots. Of late years camellias have gone out of favour with planters chiefly because the flowers of the white and paler-coloured varieties become so quickly tarnished with rain and frost. AVith the elimination of varieties, which are subject to defects, however, and the selection of the now popular and very beautiful single and semidouble kinds, which are not greatly effected bv the elements, the camellia is again coming into general favour. The bushes, with their bright shining, green, glossy foliages, are attractive at all seasons Interspersed on the edges of die shrubbery with the tall-growing varieties of rhododendrons they are very effective. Camellias aj'o easity transplanted, and may be planted out any time during the winter, while they are also adapted for late planting. TREE FERNS. TIME FOR PLANTING. The planting of tree ferns should be completed as soon as possible to allow them to become established before the harsh, drying spring winds set in and. before the new growth starts, as thsv are dormant for a very short period. Small plants with stems from six inches to one foot always succeed better than thosp. with longer stems. They should be lifted with a good ball of earth attached to the roots. In the case of small plants the tons may be left on, but with larger ones they should be cut off near the crowns.

In the arrangement of tree ferns they should be grouped or planted siinglv in suitable odd corners near the house. Plai.ted as sincrle specimens in front of the dwelling, they are exposed to the winds, find their roots to the dry summer conditions. Wherever tree ferns are planted, ihe soil for some distance around them' or, as far as the mat of surface roots extend, must not be disturbed bv diggine. The black, tree fern is a noble object end is r»o<-t extensively grown. The silver. or white tree fern, and also the Dicksonia, a variety with slender stems, are quite different and should be planted for variety. Hill sides slooine to a creek or gully are specially ar]anted for tree ferns for ithev show to advantage.

TYPES OF CONIFERS. MANY ELEGANT SPECIES. To the eoniferae genus belong trees rf universal use for commercial, shelter and ornamental purposes. The greater number of the species are tall and lofty. They are with few exceptions perfectly hardy and will succeed in almost any fcoil or situation. The following is an abridged list of the most suitable for Jocal conditions.

■The varieties of allies are noble firs of slow growth. TJiey are exceedingly ornamental and are admirably adapted for single specimens. The silver fir is an example of this genus. Araucarias may be termed the most handsome of pinaceous plants. The Norfolk pine and monkey puzzle tree are striking representatives. The Norfolk pine withstands the fiercest gaits from the sea. Cedrus comprises the beautiful deodara Of graceful weeping habit and horizontal branches. Cedar of Lebanon, Chamaecyparis, a genus of conifers of compact habit, not unlike the cypress, are native of Japan and are well adapted for smaller grounds and gardens. Cryptomerias elegans And Japonica are elegant trees for ornamental planting. Cupressus are a most useful and elegant tribe of frees for lawns, grass plots, etc.

WORTHY VARIETY NEGLECTED.

Juriipcrus are exceedingly hardy compact growing trees, and are most ornamental and useful. Finns are represented here by only a few varieties. The longleaved varieties are most ornamental but one. quite neglected by our planters. Hie vPiceas include the Douglas fir or Oregon pin?, the Norway spruce, the Menziesii from California and the beautiful Srnithiana from Nepaul. Salisburi, the maiden-hair tree of China, 5s a deciduous conifer of great beauty. Soiadopitys. the umbrella pine of Japan, is one of the most handsome conifers in cultivation. Sequoia sempervirens, the red-wood of California, is world-known for its timber and appearance. Taxodiurn diblichnin, the deciduous cvprus of North America, is a most distinctive type. I lie Wellingtonia or Sequoia gigantea, the mammoth tree of California, completes the condensed list. All of the preceding spe'ies and varieties aro very hardy and highly ornamental and should be represented in our permanent plantations, IniLilic or private. NEW ZEALAND CONIFERS. Jlost prominent of all is Agathis Austral! as, our celebrated kauri pine, while iDacrydium cupressinum, the well-known Jrimu tree, is without doubt the most beautiful and graceful conifer in existence. Podocarpus, including the totara, kahikatea and miro, Phyllocladus (the tanahaha), Libocedrus doniana (the kawaka), a most, distinct and beautiful foliaged tree, are also outstanding. With the exception of the Podocarpus totara, which may be planted in open and exposed positions for shelter and ornament, sthe other kinds require partial shelter to grow Successfully*