FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS.

renovating flower plots.

Recent weather and soil conditions have been favourable for carrying on season nble operations by giving the flower beds and borders a general overhaul or sprinc cleaning. The various beds and borders containing anemones, ranunculi, freesias, irises, ixias, and other early-flowering bulbous plants aro cenerally in good order and need little extra attention beyond weeding' and lightly stirring tho surface foil among the clumps and rows, pickinc of? flower heads that aro past, and taking precautions to keep them as free ns possible from slugs. Edgings of beds that are surrounded Trith grass must bo neatly trimmed with the spade and tho grass closely mowed. The various edging, consisting of polyanthus, primroses, violots, seapinks, violas, echeverias, freesias, etc., must bo carefully weeded. Cinerarias are beginning to flower and are benefited by an occasional manurial watering. Roses L.iould reccivo a surface dressing of 31b. of sulphate of ammonia and 81b. of superphosphate per forty square yards, or, where growing separately, a little to each plant.

THE MIXED BORDER.

Where an assortment of flowering •hrubs, herbaceous plants, dwarf peren-

nials, and raanv varieties of bulbous plants ftr# in permanent occupation, * special attention is required. A surface application of manure, followed by deep digging where practicable, at tho same time avoiding disturbing any liliums or Other bulbs that are beginning to start into growth, 13 beneficial. As tho digging proceeds pruno any of tho shrubs t'nst require thinning out and shortening back. Any that are infested with lichens or other parasitic growths must bo sprayed, the caustic soda alkali solution being the most effective for tho moss and for killing scale insects and others that conceal themselves in the bark and aro at present in a dormant state.

TRANSPLANTING OPERATIONS.

Take up cannas that have been left in the ground and have outgrown their allotted spaces, divido ar.d replant, in different places those that are required, and discard the residue Take up, also, clumps of Michaelmas daisies, heleniums, rudbeckias (or golden slows), solidagos golden rods), and perennial sunflowers, all of which increase greatly and require to be lifted annually and divided. Perennial 'phlox are also better dug up and replanted in other places to give them a change of soil. Shasta daisies should also be taken up and replanted. Liliums are better if not disturbed, unless the clumps havo become too large. Several of tho plants, such as the marguerites and others that become exhausted, should be due; out and replaced with voung stock. Sorrel, convolvolus, and other weeds that spread from running' roots must be carefully forked and picked out. In digging, leave the surface rough, and after about a fortnight apply a liberal dressing of hme. Lightly foi'k and regulate the surface.

POPULAR HYDRANGEAS.

HARDY-FLOWERING SHRUB

Hydrangeas take a piomlnent place among tho most, largely-planted, hardy flowering shrubs They aro easily propagated from cuttings, and will succeed in almost any soil or situation. Being fibrous-rooted, they may be lifted and transplanted with safety st almost any season. They thrive well in moist soils, end rfcquiro an abundance of water during tho height of their flowering season. They aro Specially adapted foi growing in various-sued pots for conservatory and bouse decoration, arid in large tubs for lawn, verandah and other outdoor embellishment, For this purpose they must bo liberally treated with frequent manurial waterings. Hydrangeas may bo cultivated in pots to produce ono largo head. Grown in this stylo they are most effective aniong collections of pot plants, and for table and other indoor decorations. They like ii rich soil. Certain soils havo tho property/ of changing the normal colour of the flowers. Some chemical constituent is responsible for this, blues changing to pink* and vice versa. Alum, iron and lime are used to maintain tho true colon's, according to the nature of tho soil. . Volcanic soils favour blues and re quire, a large percentage of limo to intensify the pinks and keep them true. In some gardens plants often produce red flowers ono year, and develop pink ones'the next. > Hydrangeas are making a fresh start into giowth. With the smaller plants the •traggling tops may bo pruned back to give the young, vigorous shoots at the base every chance As with nil popular plants, specialists have'devoted 'heir energies to hybridising, aid have been most successful in the production of a vast number of magnificent varieties, with enormous heads of Ibwers and a compact habit of growth. British and French specialists aro tho most-'successful raisers. A number of tho latest and best novelties have been imported, and aro already widely distributed among loading Dominion growers.