FLOWERING PLANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20384, 12 October 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

FLOWERING PLANTS.

TRUES AND SHRUBS.

Spring-flowering trees and shrubs begin !o enliven the grounds, conspicuous among them being magnolia conspicua, the vulan treo of China,' which is rightly named, being most striking. Tho magnolia oborata, a purpuroa purple-flowered variety, is of smaller growth and a, fitting companion to tho preceding. Magnolia stellata has been in flower for several weeks, with its profusion of semi-double highly fragrant starjhape.d flowers. These hardy deciduous magnolia are deserving of a placo in every shrubbery and are also adapted for somo gardens and ornamental grounds. They are easy to cultivate in any ordinary soils and arc of a permanent character.

OTHER FRAGRANT BLOSSOMS.

The photinia glabra is to bo seen in tho fullest perfection at present. Tho flowers are produced in flat corymbs at tho extremities of tho shoots, making it specially attractive. This exceedingly hardy evergreen, small-growing tree is also a native of China and Japan, and is commonly callod tho pagoda treo of China. The flower 3 contrast with tho large, bright shining green leaves. Tho new foliage is red in colour and somo of tho mature leaves assume reddish tints in the autumn, giving this species an interesting appearance in its different stages of growth. Tho common laurel perfumes the air with its fragrant blossoms. Japanese flowering cherries and double-flowering and other peaches aro indispensable trees during the spring season, being laden with the utmost profusion of variously coloured and most beautiful blossoni3, contrasting with tho now tints of foliage 'of the surrounding ovorgreen trees and shrubs. The different varieties of fruiting plum and peach trees add to tho floral beauties of tho season.

THS YELLOW KOWHAI.

Tho common yellow kowhai, one* of tho few decidnons species of New_ Zealand trees, is now in full flower, being laden •with the greatest profusion of lovely rich golden yellow pendant blossoms, which appear before tho new leavos, thus greatly adding to its floral effect and contrasting with tho surrounding flora. Numerous - specimens aro to be seen flourishing within tho citv and suburbs. The yellow kowhai is of tho easiest cultivation and very hardy and a variety that nhould bo extensively planted in public parks and shrubberies. It thrives well near tho sea and may bo planted as singlo specimens or in groups. There aro two or three varieties. One, called grandiflora, has larger leaves than'tho common kowhai.

FLOWERS IN SEASON.

THE POPULAR PETUNIA.

Petunias cannot bo surpassed for summer bedding. They aro splendid dry weather subjects, and in this respect ipecially adapted to our climatic conditions. With tho exception of a few medium sized single flowered bedding Varieties—notably the scarlet-crimson bedtier that produces such a profusion of biosBoms, and the striped being excellent for massing in beds and borders in large grounds. The popular selection is chiefly confined to the largo flowering singlo strains, known as the Giants of California, or tho superbissima section, producing enormous flowers, in striking, handsome colours, with funnel-shaped open throats that are beautifully veined arid mottled. The frinbriata section produce large, elegantly-fringed blossoms in self colours, and also in striped and blotched flowers. Double-flowering petunias, with plain Hid beautifully fringed petals, aro equally desirable for growing outside in the "peri beds and borders, and also for pot Culture, with- tho exception of tho medium sized bedding petunias above referred to. It. is essential that only (lie best strains in special mixtures of tho largo or giant flowered varieties are selected. A small, poor petunia of a dull purpio or other objectionable colour is not worth its room in any garden. Petunias, although recommended for grouping or massing each individual plant, must be allowed sufficient yoom to properly develop.

POLYANTHUS AND PRIMROSES.

The improved strains of the old-fashioned polyanthus and primroses arc everywhere evidence, arid arc specially prized for wreath and other floral decorations for vhscs, floating bowls, etc. They are propagated from seeds and divisions. A splendid selection of colours may be had from a single, packet, of seed, saved from only Hie largest flowers of tho most handsome strains, with as wide a rango of ,colon)• as possible. I**olll polyanthus and primroses succeed *>e,st, in ; t cool, fairly moist, loamy soil, Where partial shado is offered and the soil fairly rich. - They are excellent rockery plants, it' allowed cool, shady positions. Polyanthus and cowslips differ from primroses in that the (lowers aro produced in terminal umbels s on separate flower stems. There aro various forms of Hie common polyanthus, including fancy varieties of various lines. The primula ■vulgaris (piimrose) produces its (lowers on single stems front the, base of the leaves, sometimes called bunch primroses, from the mass of flowers a single plant product's.

PRIMULA MALAOOIDES

„ This winter-flowering primula has beiroma a general favourite with all. It is yery hardy and specially adapted to wet winter conditions, thriving and flowering in tho greatest profusion" in tho open ground. Under careful selection the original lilac colour of the flower has been to villi pure white to pretty roso and pink •hades, the two varieties named Achievement and Advance aro greatly improved fovrns in both tho colour and size of their flowers*