DRY-WEATHER PLANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20372, 28 September 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

DRY-WEATHER PLANTS.

the modern zinnia. Foi- a continuous display of bloom throughout the summer and autumn, jinnias are to bo commended. The wonderful inprovement in this oldfashioned and previously jnuch-despiseu annual has eliminated the old objectionable purple colours by the substitution of immense double flowers of gorgeous colouring with petals more or less loosely arranged The charming new and usual fades' include soft salmon, rose cream buS apricot, pink crimson, yellow and „ nra orange. Some, too, havo bi-coloured and tri-coloured (lowers, and there mj fiuilled and picotec-edged \aueties. &iant Dahlia-flowered z.innias produco ££. of the largest size and are extremely useful for large vases and for String ihe beds and borders. Presentday floral requirements demand laigo ,applies of flowers restricted to one class. Consequently sufficient numbers should be *hnted to meet the demand. Early in October, is tho best tune to Win planting zinnias. Early plantings S unsatisfactory. As the plants aio (trong growers they should b» .mnla'room to branch out. to p\oiw.u them from the wind, each plant, should are remarkably free from insect pests with lbs exception ot caterpillar. Thjy « ° easily transplanted and are good dijyeather subjects. PHLOX DEUMMONDn. Few plants can rival the large-flowered annual phloxes, for beddins .» r,. M 9 I an aro splendid dry-weather *T u Bv successional plantings, comjubjects. 3 October, a continuous rrY£m> may bo kept »P thro,*hout the summer, aulnmn »■» 'oTvery b»tiS » wonderful snow ot wji Tim variety of colouis «incl ihatles is greater tlmn in any other C 'S"X^(lowers are Ur f e and have prettily markeef centres here js an improved strain called the Star phlox in mixed colours with fringed petals. These are extremely useful for■ eu 1 S ■nd for table decorations. Tho dwart compact phlox is a useful class s P ec "j"j adapted for beds and borders and forming Easses of flowers. Phlox can also bo grown as pot plants. • They [° a j", charminc display intermixed with other Bin. apart. At this distance they have room to branch out and cover the beds and make a mass display Phlox keep remarkably free from insects and diseases. POPULAR VERBENAS. Verbenas are extremely popular dwarfgrowing summer bedding plants. Ihey provide suitablo seedlings for present planting. They are hardy dry-weather subjects cf easy cultivation. To bo most effective they should be planted in separate beds cr in clumps or groups in tho mixed border. On account of their spreading tabit, they should bo allowed' ample room, in which to develop. They produce S brilliant display of flowers during the whole of the summer and autumn months. Being perennials they may bo grown on from year to year but are better cultivated as annuals. Formerly vebenas were piopagated from cuttings, named varieties being perpetrated. But as specially-saved strains of seed reproduce so truly and ir such beautiful colours and are models of health and vigour, propagation by such a means; fca3 been almost discontinued. ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. AZALEA VARIETIES. Azaleas and rhododendrons aro among tho gayest ornaments of tho garden and grounds at tho present time. Both are gorgeous plants, that must have a place in every garden, as lliey are of tho greatest value for decoration, cutting and exhibition. jsy a judicious selection of varieties they may be had in flov/er for a Considerable period. The varieties belonging to the Indian or Chinese azaleas aro tho most commonly grown in our gardens, #s they will flower in any ordinary soil, 'hough they prefer a fairly moist but welldrained site.

Being of compact habit, of growth, they <ro admirably adapted for distribution ji®ro and there rnnong the smaller shrubs ® the mixed border, where they need but nttlo earn and attention. The soil must &ot bo highly manured nor deeply cultivated near thern, as they resent interference with their fibrous roots. RHODODENDRONS. J.faese are associated ■with azaleas, being 'uiled in the same genus. They aro jnstly classed among the most noble and ''tractive of all evergreen shrubs. There •re a very large number of varieties. Several of tho hardier kinds will succeed in ®ny ordinary garden soil, but to grow the to'Vjority of the kinds successfully it is Necessary to specially prepare tho ground "V taking out some of tho original soil 'nd placing about 12in. or more of fine icoria in tho bottom of each hole, and ®°niploting tiie filling with a compost of feat, if obtainable, turfy loam and leaf fiiould, with some sand. A little dry cow fcianuro, well pulverised, may be added. Provision must also bo mado to drain *way any water that is likely to accumulate at the bottom of the holes. This preparation is absolutely necessary in stiff, « a y soils, otherwise tho plants wiU never Jfrcsent a healthy appearance*